Our Snakes

Australian snakes can be classified into two main groups: the solid-toothed, non-venomous varieties like pythons, blind snakes, and file snakes, and the venomous rear-fanged snakes, such as the brown tree snake and mangrove snakes.

Snakes are inherently non-aggressive and generally seek to avoid confrontation. They will only strike if they feel threatened. Most snakebites occur when individuals attempt to handle or kill these reptiles. If you encounter a snake while bushwalking, it is best to remain composed and simply head in the opposite direction.

Snakes in Australia’s Ecosystems

Australian snakes are found in nearly every type of ecosystem, from the dry outback to coastal forests. In arid regions, snakes like the inland taipan have evolved to tolerate extreme temperatures and scarce water supplies. Rainforests are home to species like the green tree python, which uses its vibrant colour to blend into the dense foliage. In suburban areas, non-venomous species such as the carpet python are often found hunting rodents around human settlements, while highly venomous species like the eastern brown snake are more elusive but still common in rural and semi-rural areas.

Snakes in Australia vary greatly in size and behaviour, with some species being ground-dwelling ambush predators, while others, like the tree-dwelling pythons, are skilled climbers. This adaptability has allowed snakes to occupy a wide variety of ecological niches across the continent.

Importance of Snakes

Snakes play a vital role as apex predators in Australia’s ecosystems. They help regulate populations of small mammals, birds, frogs, and other reptiles, maintaining a natural balance. Without snakes, prey species like rodents and small marsupials could reach unsustainable numbers, leading to overgrazing or the spread of disease. For example, the eastern brown snake is known to control rodent populations in agricultural areas, indirectly benefiting crops and farmers.

In turn, snakes themselves serve as prey for larger predators such as birds of prey and mammals like dingoes. This interconnected relationship ensures that ecosystems remain healthy and balanced. Additionally, snakes contribute to natural pest control, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and helping to preserve biodiversity.

Venomous Snakes of Australia

Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) – The World’s Most Venomous Snake

Often referred to as the “fierce snake,” the inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world. Found in the remote deserts of central Australia, this elusive species delivers venom that is powerful enough to kill more than 100 humans with a single bite. Despite its fearsome reputation, the inland taipan is shy and rarely comes into contact with people. It typically inhabits clay plains and cracks in the ground, where it hunts small mammals, primarily native rats.

• Venom Potency: The inland taipan’s venom is 50 times more toxic than that of the Indian cobra. It contains neurotoxins that can cause paralysis and coagulants that disrupt blood clotting.
• Behaviour: Unlike some aggressive species, the inland taipan is known for its reclusive nature and will only strike if provoked.

Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) – The Most Dangerous Snake in Australia

The eastern brown snake is responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in Australia. Found throughout eastern and southern Australia, including in suburban areas, this fast and highly venomous snake is often encountered near human dwellings as it hunts for rodents. Despite its aggression when threatened, the eastern brown snake usually tries to avoid human contact.

• Venom Potency: The venom of the eastern brown snake is highly neurotoxic and contains powerful coagulants that cause rapid blood clotting, leading to organ failure if untreated.
• Behaviour: The eastern brown snake is known for its speed and defensive nature. When threatened, it raises its body off the ground, forms an S-shape, and strikes rapidly.

Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)

Found in southern Australia, including Tasmania, the tiger snake is easily recognised by the distinctive banding along its body, though its colour can vary widely. It prefers wet environments such as swamps, rivers, and coastal regions, and feeds primarily on frogs, birds, and small mammals. Tiger snakes are highly venomous and are responsible for a significant number of bites, particularly in rural areas.

• Venom Potency: The venom of the tiger snake contains potent neurotoxins, myotoxins, and coagulants, leading to paralysis, muscle damage, and blood clotting disorders if untreated.
• Behaviour: Although capable of delivering a powerful bite, tiger snakes are generally not aggressive and will retreat if given the opportunity.

Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)

The coastal taipan is the largest venomous snake in Australia and one of the deadliest. Found in the tropical and coastal regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales, the coastal taipan is known for its speed, agility, and highly toxic venom. It prefers forests, sugarcane fields, and grassy areas, feeding on rats and other small mammals.

• Venom Potency: The coastal taipan’s venom is neurotoxic, causing rapid paralysis and potentially fatal respiratory failure. A single bite can deliver enough venom to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs.
• Behaviour: While highly venomous, the coastal taipan is generally shy and will avoid humans. However, when cornered, it becomes aggressive and strikes with precision.

Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)

The red-bellied black snake is one of the most recognisable snakes in Australia due to its glossy black back and striking red belly. Found in eastern Australia, this snake prefers habitats near water, such as rivers, wetlands, and swamps. Although venomous, bites from the red-bellied black snake are rarely fatal due to its relatively mild venom compared to other species.

Venom Potency: The venom of the red-bellied black snake contains neurotoxins and anticoagulants but is far less toxic than that of the taipan or brown snake. Symptoms of a bite include pain, swelling, and tissue damage, but fatalities are rare.
Behaviour: Red-bellied black snakes are generally shy and non-aggressive. They are more likely to slither away than to strike when approached.

Non-Venomous Snakes of Australia

Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)

The carpet python is one of Australia’s most common and widespread non-venomous snakes. It is a large, powerful constrictor found across eastern and northern Australia in habitats ranging from forests to urban areas. With its attractive patterned skin, the carpet python is a favourite among reptile enthusiasts and is frequently seen in suburban backyards, where it helps control rodent populations.

• Size and Appearance: Carpet pythons can grow up to 4 metres in length, though they are usually smaller. They are easily identified by their distinctive markings, which vary but typically include shades of brown, black, and gold arranged in irregular patterns.
• Diet: Carpet pythons are ambush predators that primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. In urban areas, they often prey on rats and mice, making them a beneficial presence for pest control.
• Behaviour: These pythons are non-aggressive and generally shy. They are excellent climbers and may be seen resting in trees, though they often hunt on the ground.

Green Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata)

The green tree snake, also known as the common tree snake, is a slender, non-venomous snake found in northern and eastern Australia. Its vibrant green colouring allows it to blend seamlessly into its rainforest and woodland habitats. This species is a harmless and curious snake that is often mistaken for venomous species due to its colour.

• Size and Appearance: The green tree snake is typically between 1.2 and 1.8 metres in length. Its bright green colour is complemented by a yellow belly, though some individuals may have blue, brown, or black markings.
• Diet: These snakes are highly active hunters, feeding on small vertebrates such as frogs, fish, lizards, and sometimes small mammals. They are often seen near water bodies, where they hunt for amphibians.
• Behaviour: The green tree snake is diurnal (active during the day) and non-aggressive. It’s an excellent climber and is often spotted in trees or shrubs. When threatened, it may inflate its body and flatten its neck to appear larger, but it rarely bites.

Woma Python (Aspidites ramsayi)

The woma python is one of Australia’s most unique non-venomous snakes, found in the arid and semi-arid regions of central and western Australia. Unlike many other pythons, the woma python lacks heat-sensing pits on its face, a characteristic common to other pythons. It is a ground-dwelling snake that plays a crucial role in controlling small mammal populations in desert ecosystems.

• Size and Appearance: The woma python can reach lengths of up to 2.7 metres but is more commonly around 1.5 metres. It has a smooth, yellow-brown to reddish-brown body with darker bands, and its head is broad and slightly flattened.
• Diet: Woma pythons primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are skilled hunters and use their strong bodies to constrict and subdue prey. In the wild, they are known to feed on venomous snakes as well.
• Behaviour: Womas are nocturnal and generally calm, making them popular in the pet trade. In the wild, they are rarely encountered due to their secretive, burrowing habits. Despite their strength, they are non-aggressive and rarely bite.

How Snakes See, Smell and Hear

Snakes are unique creatures, lacking eyelids and thus unable to close their eyes. Instead, their eyes are shielded by a transparent scale integrated into their skin, functioning much like a permanent pair of spectacles. Certain species, especially those that hunt during the day like whip snakes, boast exceptional vision. Generally, most snakes possess fairly good eyesight, albeit primarily for short-range observation.

Nonetheless, for the majority of snakes, the sense of smell holds greater importance. The primary olfactory organ in a snake is its forked tongue, which it rhythmically flicks in and out of its mouth. This tongue gathers scent particles from the air and any surfaces it contacts, transporting them to two special pits in the roof of the mouth. These pits, a distinctive feature of reptiles, decode the scents relayed by the tongue. Interestingly, a snake’s nostrils are dedicated solely to respiration.

In the auditory realm, snakes lack external ears. They rely on their inner ears to perceive sounds, which detect vibrations transmitted through the ground via the head and belly scales. Certain nocturnal species, like pythons, are equipped with heat-sensitive pits to track the ‘warm’ prey they hunt, such as birds and small mammals.

How Snakes Move

Devoid of legs, snakes propel themselves using waves of muscular contractions coursing through their bodies. This movement is facilitated by their belly scales, which grip any uneven surfaces. On perfectly smooth terrain, snakes struggle to advance in any direction.

Arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes, such as pythons, maneuver along horizontal branches in a shuffling motion, utilizing muscular waves that ripple through their bodies.

Moreover, many snakes are proficient swimmers. Sea snakes, in particular, possess paddle-like tails that enhance their propulsion in aquatic environments.

Sloughing (Shedding) Their Skin

Snakes shed their skin between once and four times annually. The process begins with the snake rubbing its head against a rough surface until the skin tears. The snake then gradually extricates itself from the old skin, turning it inside out in the process.

For all snake species, the new skin, which mirrors the colours and patterns of the old one, lies beneath. Post-shedding, the discarded skin appears almost transparent.

When a snake is on the verge of sloughing, the scale covering its eye becomes ‘milky,’ temporarily impairing its vision.

How Snakes Regulate Their Body Temperature

Snakes, being reptiles, are ectothermic creatures, meaning they derive their body heat from external sources. Unlike endothermic animals like mammals and birds, which internally regulate their temperature, a snake’s body heat—and consequently its activity level—is dictated by the ambient temperature of the air and ground. To optimise their body warmth, snakes bask in the sun or settle on warm surfaces such as night-time roads or, occasionally, household water heaters.

In colder regions, snakes enter a state of hibernation during winter. However, along the more temperate coastal areas, they seek refuge in rock crevices and logs during chilly weather and emerge on warmer days to absorb the sun’s heat. During colder periods, snakes exhibit reduced activity and consequently hunt less. Their metabolism slows down in winter, utilising stored body fat accumulated during the warmer months.

Feeding Habits of Snakes

Feeding is a highly specialised activity for snakes. Lacking claws to grasp, tear, or hold their prey, and unable to chew due to the structure of their teeth and hinged jaws, snakes employ different strategies to feed.

Venomous snakes capture their prey by striking swiftly and biting, injecting venom that paralyses the victim, rendering it immobile or dead before consumption. Some species may strike multiple times. The venom’s toxins not only immobilise the prey but also assist in digestion by breaking down blood and other tissues.

Pythons, devoid of venom, rely on their muscular bodies to subdue prey. They first grab the prey with their mouth and then wrap their body coils tightly around it, progressively tightening until the prey suffocates.

Other snake species may immediately begin swallowing their prey alive, using teeth arranged to prevent the prey’s escape once seized. In some cases, both venom and constriction are utilised to secure and kill the prey.

Snakes can dislocate their upper and lower jaws and separate the two sections of their lower jaw, allowing them to move each jaw independently and spread their head and throat to swallow prey much larger than their usual mouth diameter.

Digestion occurs in the stomach with the help of potent digestive juices. Unlike endothermic animals, the rate of food digestion in snakes is influenced by external temperatures.

Breeding

Snake reproduction varies, with some species giving birth to live young while others lay eggs. Most egg-laying snakes do not tend to their eggs before hatching, often depositing them in warm, decaying vegetation to incubate for 10 to 14 weeks.

Pythons, however, ‘incubate’ and protect their eggs by coiling around them until they hatch, even controlling temperature to some extent through shivering.

Young snakes are independent from birth. Depending on the species, a single breeding season may yield between 10 and 100 offspring, though many fall prey to birds, lizards, and other snakes.

Declining Snake Populations

Snakes play an important role in various ecosystems, yet their populations are generally dwindling. Factors contributing to this decline include:

• Habitat destruction due to agricultural or urban development
• Increased frequency of bushfires
• Removal of bush rocks, vital for snake shelter, for use in gardens
• Predation by introduced species such as foxes, dogs, and cats
• Roadkill incidents
• Indiscriminate killing by people out of fear or dislike, often resulting in the unnecessary death of harmless snakes and even legless lizards.

Snake Safety

Snakes are generally reclusive and prefer to steer clear of humans, it’s prudent to exercise caution, especially when in snake-country such as bushlands, rural districts, or even suburban gardens.

1. When traveling or hiking through areas where snakes might be lurking, it’s wise to stick to well-trodden paths. Avoid venturing into tall grass, dense scrub, or rocky terrains where snakes often conceal themselves.

2. In regions known for snake activity, don long trousers, thick socks, and robust footwear or boots. Thick specialised bushwalking clothing can shield your legs and feet in the event of an unintended encounter with a snake.

3. Snakes are frequently drawn to water bodies such as streams, dams, and even backyard ponds. Exercise vigilance when near these areas, particularly during the warmer months when snakes are more active.

4. In suburban settings, keeping your garden free of clutter, tall grass, and wood or debris piles eliminates potential snake hideouts. Additionally, removing food sources like rodents can deter snakes from visiting.

5. Snakes often exhibit increased activity during the cooler hours of the evening or early morning. When walking outside at night, carry a torch (flashlight) to illuminate the ground ahead and spot any potential snake hazards.

6. Snakes bite only when they perceive a threat. Avoid touching, handling, or disturbing them. It’s essential to educate children to respect snakes and other wildlife.

7. Dogs, in particular, may provoke a snake if they come across one. Ensure pets are kept on a leash while in snake-prone areas to prevent them from running into peril.