The White-Lipped Snake (Drysdalia coronoides) is easily identifiable by the white stripe along the upper lip, if you can get close enough, as it usually flees very quickly when approached. The back colour varies, from brick-red, through to olive-green or dark grey, while the belly is often orange, pink or salmon in colour. A very small species with a maximum length of less than 50cm.
Habitat
It is quite common in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne suburbs, including Donvale, Warrandyte and Park Orchards, preferring heavy cover throughout forested areas of southern Victoria and can sometimes be seen basking amongst vegetation and logs.
Diet
While diurnal, rarely seen, diet consists of small lizards and occasionally frogs
Reproduction
A viviparous species, it produces a litter of three to ten young in late summer.
