Spotlight on Australia: Bandy-bandy
Bandy-bandy © Ken Griffiths, Shutterstock
Australia is famous for its unique culture, metropolitan cities, and unusual wildlife, among other things. Each week, this seasonal feature will spotlight one of Australia’s many wonders.
The bandy-bandy is a small Australian snake known for its striking black and white stripes. There are several species (kinds). When threatened, a bandy-bandy may raise its body off the ground in hypnotizing loops, perhaps to intimidate or confuse predators. For this reason, it is also known as the hoop snake.
When the serpent is on the move, its pattern of black and white bands may confuse and dazzle predators. Zebra stripes may serve a similar function. The stripes confuse predators as to which direction the snake is moving, allowing it to make a quick escape. This trick is sometimes called “flicker fusion.”
The bandy-bandy lives throughout northern and eastern Australia. It lives in a variety of habitats, from coastal rain forests to woodlands, scrublands, and even deserts. Bandy-bandies are burrowing snakes, often found sheltering under rocks or logs. The snakes emerge at night to hunt for prey.
The bandy-bandy may feed largely or exclusively on smaller snakes called blind snakes. It has a weak venom that is not thought to be dangerous to people. Owls, cats, foxes, and larger reptiles may prey on bandy-bandies.
The female bandy-bandy lays from 2 to 15 eggs. Adults reach 24 inches (60 centimeters) in length.
