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Red-bellied Black Snake
Scientific Name: Pseudechis porphyriacus The red-bellied black snake’s head is barely distinguishable from the body as there is no obvious constricted neck area. This snake is dangerously venomous but bites are rare because it is usually a placid and fairly docile snake, preferring to enact a lengthy bluff display with
Mainland Tiger Snake
Scientific Name: Notechis scutatus A highly variable species, which does not always display the distinctive tiger stripes suggested by its common name. The body can be grey, olive-brown or almost black. In most specimens darker bands are visible. The pale areas between the bands are usually light brown or cream
Lowland Copperhead
Scientific Name: Austrelaps superbus The head of the lowland copperhead is small and not obviously distinct from the body. They normally grow to a length of around a metre but on some Bass Strait islands lengths of 1.7 metres have been recorded. The body colour is quite variable, ranging from
King Brown or Mulga Snake
Scientific Name: Pseudechis australis Despite its common name, the king brown snake is not a true brown snake but one of the black snake family. A bite from this snake would therefore be treated with black snake antivenom. As with many Australian snakes the colour is variable. Most specimens are
Fierce Snake (Inland Taipan)
Scientific Name: Oxyuranus microlepidotus The fierce snake or inland taipan can reach a total length of 2.5 metres, although 1.8 metres is the more usual length. The upper surface of the snake can vary from dark brown to a light straw colour. Dramatic seasonal colour changes take place, with a
Eastern Brown Snake
Scientific Name: Pseudonaja textilis The eastern brown snake is the species responsible for most deaths caused by snakebite in Australia, although, with the advent of efficient first-aid treatment and antivenom, there are now usually only one or two deaths per year. A large adult brown snake is a formidable creature.
Common Death Adder
Scientific Name: Acanthophis antarcticus Death adders are easily distinguishable from other snakes by the very short, squat bodies, rapidly tapering tail and the broad triangular head. Colouration varies widely but most species exhibit some form of banded pattern in shades of brown or grey. The tail tip is usually a
Coastal taipan
Scientific Name: Oxyuranus scutellatus Australia’s deadliest snake also has huge fangs, which grow up to 12 millimetres long! It uses these to inject a powerful venom into the body. The coastal taipan is commonly about 1.5-2 metres long, but can grow to 3m. Sporting a slender light to dark brown
Brown Tree Snake
Scientific Name: Boiga irregularis The brown tree snake is very distinctive because of its large head with bulging eyes and its long slender body. Lengths in excess of 2 metres have been recorded, though 1.5-1.8 metres is a more common size. The colouration is usually a medium brown background with