Common name: Crowned Leaf-nosed Snake
Scientific name: Lytorhynchus diadema
Family: Colubridae

Size:
Total length: 20–40 cm
Weight: —

Identification:
A small, slender snake with a distinctive leaf-shaped snout used for burrowing in sand. It has a pale sandy to light brown coloration with darker blotches or bands along the body. The head shows a characteristic crown-like marking, giving the species its name. The eyes are relatively large with round pupils, suited for nocturnal activity.

Habitat:
Arid and semi-arid environments including sandy deserts, dunes, and open scrublands. Often associated with loose sand where it can easily burrow.

Status in the UAE:
Native and locally present. Uncommon and rarely encountered due to its nocturnal and fossorial lifestyle.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds mainly on small lizards, insects, and other small invertebrates.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and secretive. Spends much of its time buried in sand, emerging at night to hunt. Uses its specialized snout to move through loose substrate. Non-venomous and harmless to humans.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)