Elapids
(Venomous)
[DUGITES] [TIGER SNAKES] [KING BROWN] [GWADAR] [DEATH ADDER] [WHIP SNAKES] [BARDICK]
Front-fanged venomous land snakes belong to a family called Elapidae. All elapids have a pair of fixed, hollow fangs at the front of the upper jaw. These fangs are connected by a duct to venom glands on each side of the head,just behind the eye. This family contains some of the deadliest snakes in the entire world!
Although they are all technically venomous, not all elapids are dangerous. The bite of some species will have no more effect on a human than an ant or bee sting. Identification can be difficult, so all snakes in the wild should be treated as dangerous and given a wide berth.
Many serious snakebites have been the result of people mistaking dangerous snakes for harmless ones. Many more snakebites have occurred while attempting to kill a venomous snake. If left alone, all West Australian snakes are shy and non-aggressive, preferring to retreat from any possible conflict with humans. Attempting to kill a snake will force the animal to defend itself, increasing the risk of a potentially deadly venomous bite.
More than 45 species of Elapid are native to Western Australia. Only a handful of these snakes are considered to have bite that may pose a danger to human life. In this section we have only added species that we consider to be potentially dangerous to humans. Some of the smaller or less threatening species may be found in our Harmless section.
DUGITES
(Pseudonaja affinis)
Description:
The Dugite a member of the brown-snake genus, (Pseudonaja). A large adult brown-snake is a formidable reptile. They may reach two metres in length and, on warm days, can move at surprising speed. The body is slender and extremely variable in colour, ranging from uniform tan to grey or dark brown, usually with irregular dark scales. The belly is cream, grey or off white. Like many other brown-snakes, the young are born with a black head which usually fades away during the first year or two.
Range & Habitat:
The Dugite inhabits most habitat types of the southwest from the just north of Perth to the S.A border. It is also found on Rottnest Island – just off the coast of Perth. This is probably the most common snake in the Perth metro area.
Diet:
This species feeds mostly on small lizards and mammals, particularly rodents. Its preference for the introduced house-mouse (Mus musculas), often leads this snake to conflict with humans. If given the opportunity this animal will flee from such encounters, often after rearing up in an impressive warning display!
Comments:
This is probably the most well-known species of snake in the south-west. Dugites are the most commonly found snake in suburban backyards, often attracted to aviaries or chicken-sheds due to the high number of rodents in these environments. A smaller and darker, but equally venomous sub-species occurs on Rottnest Island.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
TIGER SNAKE
(Notechis scutatus)
Description:
A highly variable species, which may or may not display the distinctive tiger stripes. The body is dark, olive-brown or black. The bands are usually the same colour as the belly and may be bright yellow. The banding is usually more distinct in juvenile snakes ,often fading as the snake matures. The underside is usually creamy yellow or a distinctive bright yellow and occasionally off- white. Tiger snakes are relatively short and thick bodied with a broad head. Most specimens reach around 1.2 - 1.6m in length, although larger individuals have been reported.
Range & Habitat:
A common species of the swamps, wetlands and water courses of southwest W.A., although not restricted to these areas. In some areas where food is plentiful large numbers of tiger snakes can be found. Its range coincides with the highest human population in W.A so encounters are common.
Diet:
The Tiger snake's favorite meal is frogs. This is their main diet, although given the opportunity; they will also readily take lizards, birds, small mammals and the introduced house mouse. In hot weather they will become nocturnal and feeding often takes place at night.
Comments:
Tiger snakes are one of the most maligned snakes in Australia. Although the tiger snake is one of the worlds most dangerous species & should always be given a wide berth, its aggressive reputation is often unwarranted, preferring to retreat if given the option. Tiger snakes will usually act out an impressive threat display before attempting to bite. This begins with flattening of the neck and loud hissing followed by a series of fake strikes. These warning signs should be used as an opportunity step back & leave the animal alone, therefore avoiding the danger.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
KING BROWN or MULGA SNAKE
(Pseudechis australis)
Description:
West Australia's largest venomous snake, with animals in northern W.A growing larger than their southern relatives. As with many Australian snakes the colour is variable. Most specimens are mid-brown, some with a coppery tinge, others being quite dark. Each individual scale has a dark area and a light area giving the snake a subtle reticulated pattern. King browns are robust snakes with a wide head, large specimens from the Kimberley area can reach a length of 3m.
Range & Habitat:
A widespread species inhabiting all of Western Australia, except the far south of the state. As its alternative name suggests, it does inhabit mulga country, but is certainly not restricted to this habitat. Almost any type of environment is used, including grasslands, coastal heath, true desert and open woodland.
Diet:
The king brown snake has specialized in eating other reptiles. Although Lizards and snakes, including other king browns are common in the diet, birds, mammals and frogs are also consumed.
Comments:
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. Although the venom is not quite as toxic as some other Australian snakes, it is produced in huge quantities, which makes this extremely large, alert and fast-moving snake one of our most dangerous.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
GWARDAR or WESTERN BROWN
(Pseudonaja nuchalis)
Description:
This fast-moving, very alert, member of the brownsnake family is one of the most variably coloured snakes in the country. They may be light, reddish, or dark brown to almost bluey black with a cream to off-white belly, with a series of reddish spots. Individuals may be one plain colour, or a number of combinations of these colours, including a black-headed or hooded form, a herringbone pattern and a banded form (as above) just to name a few. The Gwardar (or western brown) is very closely related and structurally similar to the Dugite. Often it can be difficult to distinguish these two species apart.
Range & Habitat:
Probably the most common and widespread of all our venomous snakes. Like the dugite, the gwarder can be found living in close proximity to humans, where it feeds on the introduced house-mouse and will shelter under any debris, rubbish or building materials.
Diet:
Lizards make up a large part of the diet, especially in young snakes. Small birds are also taken although rodents are the preferred prey item - particularly for those animals living in close to human habitation.
Comments:
This highly venomous snake is mostly diurnal but will become partly nocturnal during hot weather, particularly in the northern half of the state. like other members of the brownsnake family the gwardar will often use constriction along with its highly toxic venom to kill its prey.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
COMMON DEATH ADDER
(Acanthophis antarcticus)
Description:
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 different colour to the rest of the body, often brightly coloured and is used as a lure by wriggling it to attract potential prey. Adult death adders are rarely longer than a metre in length. Despite their short size they possess the longest fangs of any Australian snake.
Range & Habitat:
The common death adder is the most southern of three species of death adder found in W.A. In central W.A it is replaced by the desert death adder (A. pyrrhus) & the pilbara death adder (A. wellsi) while further to the north , the northern death adder (A. praelongus) . As well as possibly a few other undescribed species around the state with more restricted ranges. Common death adders inhabit jarrah woodlands associated with granite outcrops and well vegetated waterways.
Diet:
Small mammals and birds are the primary diet, the snake often in waiting for many days until a meal passes. Ambush hunting makes the death adder more of a risk to humans. Relying on their camouflage to avoid conflict with larger animals, they are often reluctant to move,Most other snakes will move away from the first sign of danger whereas death adders tend to sit very still. A stray foot in the wrong place can lead to an extremely rapid strike & bite(probably the fastest of all Australian snakes). However, death adders really are reluctant to bite unless the threat is very close to them.
Comments:
Strangely enough, death adders are not true adders. They belong to the same family as other venomous Australian snakes, the elapids. They have evolved similarities to true adders, which are actually members of the viper family and are not represented in Australia . All death adders have a small grub-like appendage on the end of their tail. this is wriggled like a worm to attract small birds, mammals, and lizards within striking distance.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
WHIP SNAKES
(Demansia psammophis)
Description:
Small to medium-sized, slender, large eyed snakes. Pale grey, coppery brown to almost black in colour, often with a coppery tail . The belly is grey-green to yellowish. In most species a dark comma-shaped marking runs from the eye to the corner of the mouth. The face is usually pale, with a narrow, pale-edged dark bar around the front of the snout from eye to eye. The average length is 80cm, with a maximum of 1.5m.
Range & Habitat:
Seven species of whip snake may be found throughout most of west Australia except the extreme south-west or the sandy deserts.Three of these can only be found in W.A . This snake is found in a wide range of habitats, except swamps and rainforest, from the coast to the arid interior. During colder months it may shelter beneath rocks, and has been observed sheltering in groups.
Diet:
Whip Snakes feeds mainly on small diurnal lizards, as well as frogs. They have good eyesight, and can chase and capture lizards on the run.
Comments:
This slender and fast-moving, diurnal snake is generally considered the swiftest in Australia. Fleeing quickly when disturbed,It is hard to observe closely. Although it is a venomous snake, it is not considered dangerous, However, a bite could be extremely painful, with much local swelling and should be treated promptly.
This is one of W.A's deadliest snakes and if encountered in the wild, should be given a wide berth. Attempts to kill venomous snakes only increase the chance of Receiving a potentially life threatening bite.
BARDICK
(Echiopsis curta)
Description:
A small pugnacious venomous snake. Although not considered deadly to adults, a bite from a large indivual may need urgent medical treatment. It's venom can cause severe localised swelling and an adult bardick is known to have caused the death of at least one pet dog.
