Reproduction, Feeding and Growth in the Australian Burrowing Snake Vermicella annulata

Abstract

The Bandy-Bandy (Vermicella annulata) is a strikingly-colored (black-and-white- banded) fossorial elapid snake, widely distributed through Australia. Dissection of 276 museum specimens provided data on sexual size dimorphism, feeding habits, reproduction and inferred growth rates. Adult females (x SVL = 54.4 cm) grow much larger than adult males (x SVL = 39.2 cm). Typhlopid (blind) snakes of the genus Ramphotyphlops were the only prey items found in Vermicella stomachs, and were the only prey types accepted by captive Vermicella. This steno- phagy is unusual in Australian elapids. The low proportion of Vermicella containing prey items (1%, versus 20% in other elapids) suggests a low feeding rate in the Bandy-Bandy. The typhlopids consumed may often be larger than the Vermicella that eat them. Vitellogenesis commences in October and eggs are laid in late summer (Feb.-Mar.) Clutch size ranges from 2 to 13 (x = 7.7) and is highly correlated with maternal body length (P < .01). Hatchlings are = 17 cm SVL, and growth is slow. Sexual maturity is attained at = 24 months in d d, but at least a year later in 9 9. Behavior of captive specimens suggests that the banded coloration of Vermicella (i) is aposematic, and (ii) functions to confuse potential predators by creating a visual illusion (flicker fusion) when the snake moves rapidly. Attention is drawn to several Asian, African, American and Australian elapid species that show striking convergences with Vermicella in coloration, diet, behavior, morphology and general ecology. These aspects appear to be co-adapted, and result in a distinctive overall adaptive strategy.