Lycodon Fasciatus

Lycodon fasciatus, commonly known as the banded wolf snake, is a non-venomous species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. It is distributed across a wide swathe of South and Southeast Asia, extending into southern and central China. The species is characterised by its distinctive banded colour pattern, moderate size, and membership of the genus Lycodon, a group known for specialised dentition adapted to preying on small reptiles. Although harmless to humans, Lycodon fasciatus is frequently mistaken for venomous banded snakes due to its striking appearance.
The banded wolf snake is primarily nocturnal and secretive, occupying forested and semi-forested landscapes where it plays an important ecological role as a predator of small vertebrates.

Taxonomy and Systematic Position

The species was formally described in the nineteenth century and has been treated consistently as Lycodon fasciatus in major taxonomic works. George Albert Boulenger provided a detailed account of the species in his Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History) (1893), which remains a key reference for its scalation and morphology.
As a member of the genus Lycodon, L. fasciatus shares several features with other wolf snakes, including elongated bodies, smooth to weakly keeled scales, and enlarged anterior teeth. These teeth are not venomous but are well adapted for gripping prey such as lizards and amphibians.

Geographic Distribution

Lycodon fasciatus has a broad and continuous distribution across parts of South Asia, mainland Southeast Asia, and southern China. Its range includes:

• India, particularly the north-eastern regions such as Assam
• Bangladesh
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Laos
• Vietnam
• Tibet
• South-western and central China, extending from Yunnan and Guangxi eastwards to Fujian, and northwards to Hubei, Shaanxi, and Gansu
• Sichuan

This extensive distribution indicates a species well adapted to diverse climatic and ecological conditions, from lowland tropical forests to upland and subtropical regions.

Habitat and Environmental Preferences

The banded wolf snake inhabits a variety of terrestrial habitats, including:

• Forests and forest edges
• Shrubland and secondary vegetation
• Rocky areas and leaf-litter-rich ground
• Agricultural margins close to natural habitats

The species is typically associated with environments that provide abundant cover, such as fallen logs, stones, crevices, and dense ground vegetation. These microhabitats offer protection during daylight hours and support populations of small reptiles, which form the snake’s primary prey.
Although not strictly fossorial, Lycodon fasciatus frequently shelters beneath surface cover and is rarely encountered in open areas during the day.

External Morphology and Size

Lycodon fasciatus is a moderately small wolf snake, with adults attaining a total length of approximately 53 cm, of which the tail accounts for around 11 cm. The body is slender and cylindrical, allowing efficient movement through leaf litter and narrow refuges.
The head is slightly flattened and distinct from the neck, with a blunt snout typical of the genus. As with other Lycodon species, the anterior teeth are enlarged, though not externally conspicuous, and assist in gripping smooth-scaled prey.

Scalation Characteristics

Scalation provides important diagnostic features for the identification of Lycodon fasciatus. According to classical descriptions:

• Dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at mid-body
• The scales are weakly keeled anteriorly, with the keels becoming more pronounced towards the posterior part of the body
• Ventral scales number between 205 and 213
• The anal scale is entire
• Subcaudal scales are divided, numbering between 77 and 90

The gradual increase in keel prominence along the body distinguishes L. fasciatus from some other wolf snakes that have uniformly smooth scales.

Colouration and Pattern

The most striking feature of Lycodon fasciatus is its bold banded colour pattern, which gives rise to its common name. The body is encircled by broad purplish-black rings, separated by yellowish or reddish interspaces. These rings are sharply defined and extend around the body, creating a highly contrasting appearance.
A notable characteristic is that the first black band does not completely encircle the neck, leaving a partial collar rather than a full ring. This feature can assist in distinguishing the species from other banded snakes in its range.
The vivid colouration likely serves a defensive function, potentially mimicking more dangerous species and discouraging predation, despite the snake’s non-venomous nature.

Behaviour and Activity

The banded wolf snake is primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage. During the day, it remains hidden beneath rocks, logs, or within dense ground cover. Its secretive habits contribute to its relatively infrequent encounters with humans, despite its wide distribution.
When disturbed, Lycodon fasciatus may exhibit defensive behaviours such as body flattening or rapid attempts to escape. Like other wolf snakes, it may bite if handled, but it poses no venom-related threat to humans. Any bites are typically superficial, caused by sharp teeth rather than toxin.

Diet and Feeding Ecology

Although detailed dietary studies specific to Lycodon fasciatus are limited, its feeding ecology is inferred from related species within the genus. The diet is believed to consist mainly of:

• Small lizards, including skinks and geckos
• Amphibians, such as frogs, when available