Red-bellied Black Snake

Pseudechis porphyriacus or Red-bellied Black Snake

The Red-bellied Black Snake is a diurnal (day time) predator. The average length for this snake is 1.5 metres, but they can reach a length of 2.7 metres. They enjoy living around watercourses and marshy grounds, as their favourite foods (frogs, eels and lizards) are usually found in these areas. The introduction of the Cane Toad almost wiped this species out. Fortunately there seemed to be a number of Red-bellied Black Snakes that chose not to eat toads. These animals seem to have passed this trait on to their offspring, resulting in Red-bellied Black Snake population numbers becoming more secure.

The Red-bellied Black Snake is a shy and docile snake. Red Bellies have been known to strike with their mouths closed to scare off unwanted attackers, which is contrary to their reputation as ferocious animals. The venom of the Red-bellied Black Snake is quite low in potency compared with most other venomous species. Its venom possesses procoagulant (blood-clotting) and myolytic (muscle-destroying) activity. It is not unusual for necrosis (tissue death) to occur at the bite site.

The Red Bellied Black Snake bears live babies, with litters of up to 20 not uncommon.

Did you know...

• The average length for the red-bellied black snake is 1.5 metres, but they can reach a length of 2.7 metres.
• The venom of the red-bellied black snake is quite low in potency compared with most other venomous species.
• Red bellies have been known to strike with their mouths closed to scare off unwanted attackers, which is contrary to their reputation as ferocious animals.
• The red-bellied black snake bears live babies.

Where Red-Bellies can be found in Australia:

The introduction of the cane toad almost wiped the Red-bellied Black Snake species out.

Spotted Black Snake

Pseudechis guttatus or Spotted Black Snake

When is a black snake NOT black? Colour variation among most species of black snake is extreme. The Spotted Black Snake can range from cream to orange to black, with speckling or without. As with other members of the Black Snake family, the Spotted Black Snake is not an aggressive animal. When provoked, they will often flatten their heads to appear larger and more threatening.

The Spotted Black Snake grows to an average length of 1.2 metres. Their diet consists of lizards, frogs, small mammals, and other snakes. They are an egg laying snake, with the female producing approximately 13 eggs in a clutch.

The venom of the Spotted Black Snake contains a coagulant, an anticoagulant, haemolysin, a haemorrhagin, and a neurotoxin. The preferred antivenom is specific Black Snake. If this is unavailable, Tiger Snake antivenom will give adequate cross protection.

Did you know...

• The spotted black snake can range from cream to orange to black, with speckling or without.
• Even though there is a specific black snake antivenom, tiger snake antivenom is used to treat bites from the spotted black snake.
• As with other members of the black snake family, the spotted black snake is not an aggressive animal. When provoked, they will often flatten their heads to appear larger and more threatening.
• The spotted black snake grows to an average length of 1.2 metres.

Where in Australia Spotted Black Snakes dwell:

The spotted black snake has a diet consisting of lizards, frogs, small mammals, and other snakes.