Eastern Brown Snake
Characteristic head markings of a juvenile Eastern Brown Snake.
Identification:
The Eastern Brown Snake may be any shade of brown but can also be grey or black. Some individuals are banded. The belly is typically cream with pink or orange spots. Juveniles may be plain or banded and have distinctive head markings consisting of a black blotch on the crown and a dark neck band. This species grows to 2 metres. Midbody scale rows 17; ventrals 185–235; anal divided; subcaudals divided 45–75.
Habitat:
Found in all habitats except rainforest. It has adapted well to farmed, grazed and semi-urban lands. In South-eastern Queensland, this species is particularly common around Beenleigh and Ipswich.
Habits:
This species is active by day, although young Eastern Brown Snakes are often encountered at night.
Danger:
This species is dangerously venomous and has been responsible for many human deaths. The venom is strongly neurotoxic. If bitten, apply first aid and seek urgent medical attention. First aid procedure for any snakebite from the Australian Venom Research Unit.
Eastern Brown Snakes can be pugnacious when provoked and rear up in distinctive "S" shape.
Food:
Feeds on frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Breeding:
Mating occurs in spring and early summer. Up to 28 eggs are laid. Hatchlings are around 19 cm from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail (snout-vent length).
Similar species:
Adults are most similar to Coastal Taipans(Oxyuranus scutellatus), Mulga Snakes (Pseudechis australis) and some colour forms of the Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis). They can be distinguished from these species by pattern and scale differences. A number of small snake species can be mistaken for juvenile Eastern Brown Snakes because they have similar head markings (for example, Red-naped Snake, Furina diadema; Grey Snake, Hemiaspis damelii ; Dwyer's Snake, Parasuta dwyeri and the Curl Snake, Suta suta).
Bright Zoom
Tags:
GK