Snake identification
Listed below are names and information on the different species of snake found on the Mornington Peninsula, South-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and the surrounding areas. Enjoy!
Red-bellied black snake
Pseudechis porphyriacus
The Red-bellied black snake is a species of highly venomous Elapid that ranges along Eastern Australia, from south of Cooktown in Queensland, down Eastern New South Wales to Eastern, Central and South Eastern Victoria.
The Red-bellied black snake is commonly identified by its glossy black or brown back, with red or pinkish flanks and red or cream coloured belly. They grow to an average length of around 1.5m, to a maximum of 2m.
These snakes live in wet areas such as swamps, moist forest areas and near rivers. They feed mostly on frogs, as well as other reptiles including snakes and small mammals.
Lowlands copperhead
Austrelaps superbus
The Lowlands copperhead is a species of highly venomous Elapid found in the lowland areas in the southern half of Victoria, most of Tasmania and far south-eastern South Australia.
The Lowlands copperhead varies in colour from black, brown, red, grey, becoming lighter in colour or more reddish or orange on the lower half to underside of the body. They grow to an average length of about 1.5m-1.7m although some larger specimens have been seen.
This species is found in grasslands, wet bushland, dry forest areas and shrubland. The diet of this snake consists of frogs, reptiles including other snakes and sometimes small mammals.
Tiger snake
Notechis scutatus
The Tiger snake is a well known species of highly venomous Elapid that is found along coastal southern Australia, up the east coast into coastal south eastern Queensland, Tasmania and numerous islands off the south coast.
This species of snake has a wide variety of colours and can include any combination of solid black, brown, yellow-brown, grey, banded, yellow stripes and can grow to a variety of lengths depending on locality. General average length is around 1m to a maximum of 2m.
This snake likes moist habitats such as creeks, swamps and marshes where they feed mostly on frogs, reptiles and other snakes as well as birds and mammals. Certain island populations feed exclusively on bird chicks.
Eastern brown snake
Pseudonaja textilis
The Eastern brown snake is widely known as the second most venomous snake in the world. This species is an Australian Elapid ranging all the way along drier areas of the eastern states of Australia, and some isolated populations have been found at Alice Springs and around Kununurra in Western Australia.
The colouring of this species of snake has a huge variety of colours and pattern combinations. These can include brown, olive, black and reddish-brown in all different shades, with combinations of patterns from dull bands, flecks of darker colours or plain with little to no patterns. Their belly scales often display brown or orange flecks on a pale backing. These snakes grow to an average length of 1.8m.
Found in a large variety of habitats, this species usually prefers dry, open habitats and is found widespread on farmlands. It is also often found in suburban areas. This snake feeds mostly on reptiles and small mammals, as well as frogs and sometimes birds.
White-lipped snake
Drysdalia coronoides
The White-lipped snake is a small species of Australian Elapid. Although they are venomous, they are not considered dangerous to humans. One of the most cold tolerant species of snakes found in Australia, this snake ranges from far south-eastern Australia, up north into eastern New South Wales and Tasmania.
With a variety of colours, the White-lipped snakes colour ranges from brown, grey, dark-grey, black and reddish-brown. Along the upper lip a white stripe is present, hence their name. They average around 40cm in length and do not usually get much bigger than this.
Found in a variety of habitats from colder regions such as Alpine Victoria, to grassy areas with dense ground vegetation. Their diet consists mainly of Skinks and occasionally small frogs.
Eastern small-eyed snake
Cryptophis nigrescens
The Eastern small-eyed snake is another highly venomous species of Australian Elapid, found along the eastern coast of Australia from Melbourne all the way up to just south of Cooktown Queensland.
This snake is black above, with cream to pinkish belly scales occasionally with spots or blotches. As its name suggests, this snake has small beady eyes and although it can reach a maximum length of 1.2m this species averages around 50cm.
It is found in a variety of habitats from rainforests to open woodland areas and feeds mostly on small lizards and skinks, occasionally frogs.
