Wildlif e I n f orm a t ion

Conservation and protection What you can do… Snakes commonly

Snakes are among the least understood of Australia’s
fauna. Snakes are often unnecessarily killed due to
Snakes are frequently encountered during warmer months
and should be treated with extreme caution.
found in Central
Queensland
incorrect identification and the false perceptions that
‘all snakes are dangerous’ and ‘the only good snake is a Don’t approach snakes
dead snake’. Remove rubbish piles
Snakes usually prefer to retreat but can become Learn first aid treatment for snakebite
defensive if threatened. Most snake bites are received
by people in the process of trying to capture or kill a
snake. They present little or no danger to people when Further reading
left alone.
Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia
Snakes are essential to maintain an ecological balance
(6th Ed.), Reed New Holland Pty Ltd.
as they help maintain natural populations of frogs,
rodents and even other reptiles, some species even Shine, R. (1998) Australian Snakes – A Natural History, Reed
control cane toads. If we follow a few simple rules and New Holland Pty Ltd.
treat all snakes with a healthy respect, we can coexist.
Torr, G. (2000) Pythons of Australia – A Natural History,
Keeping snakes in Queensland requires a licence from UNSW Press Ltd.
the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Snakes are
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A complete guide to Reptiles
protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and
of Australia, Reed New Holland Pty Ltd.
cannot be killed or taken from the wild. Only snakes
bred in captivity by a licensed person can be purchased Photography: John Augusteyn, Adam Creed, Peter Tremul
for keeping. and Steve Wilson.

Biology For more information

Snakes are distinguished from most lizards by not having The Environmental Protection Agency Hotline
limbs or ear openings; unblinking eyes that are covered 1300 130 372
by a transparent scale and a long slender deeply forked
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tongue. They also have wide underbelly scales that are
www.epa.qld.gov.au
much wider than the adjacent body scales.
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This brochure will help identify

©State of Queensland snakes local to this area
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. 2007.
BP1760 Snakes - June 2006
Recycled paper saves energy and resources
 Pythons
in Central Queensland

Only four species of python are known to

occur in Central Queensland. Pythons are Black-headed python
mostly nocturnal, but are known to bask in Aspidites melanocephalus

the sun during cooler months. They are non- Colouration is dark brown above, often lighter on the sides
venomous, solid-toothed with no fangs or with numerous brown or blackish cross bands. Head, neck
venom glands. Pythons kill by coiling around and throat are black. Generally found inland and is active
their prey and squeezing until suffocation at night, diurnal during the cooler months. Feeds largely on
reptiles, including venomous snakes; small mammals and
occurs – a technique known as constriction.
birds are occasionally taken.
Pythons feed largely on mammals, reptiles
and birds, and are skilful climbers. NON VENOMOUS. Average length is 1.5m.

Spotted python Carpet python

Antaresia maculosa Morelia spilota

Formerly known as a Children’s Python named after the Colouration ranges from pale to darker greyish-green
English naturalist, J.F Children this snake has colouration or brown with black-edged pale blotches. The belly is
that is usually light brown or brown with a series of darker cream or yellow, variegated with dark grey. Scales on top
brown blotches, many of which overlap longitudinally. of head granular, no large head shields between eyes.
Mainly found on the ground, but also in trees in habitats Often found in trees, sometimes living in other animals’
ranging from forest to open woodland and stony ridges. burrows.
NON VENOMOUS. Average length is 0.75m. NON VENOMOUS. Average length 2.0m however
specimens are known to exceed 4m.

Woma python
Aspidites ramsayi

Colouration is similar to the Black-headed python. The

head, neck and throat are never black, although a few
black marks may be present. Belly is cream to yellow, with
numerous pink or cream blotches. The woma is rare and
generally inhabits desert or other arid areas.
NON VENOMOUS. Average length is 1.5m.
 Tree snakes Venomous
and keelbacks snakes

This group of snakes have a range of This elapid family includes front-fanged, Black whip snake
specialised characteristics and habits. venomous land snakes. Although this Demansia vestigiata

Some species are arboreal or tree dwelling, group includes the highly venomous snakes Colouration above is grey or dark brown to black with
whilst others favour semi-aquatic habitats. of Australia, the venom of most species is each body scale marked with black. The belly is greyish,
The Colubrid family includes solid-toothed, harmless to humans. The venom injected by the underparts of tail reddish and contrasting. When
disturbed the body expands revealing a distinct pattern
non-venomous snakes and rear fanged, these snakes is used to immobilise or kill prey; of black spots and white dashes. Active during the day
weakly venomous snakes that eat small sometimes a combination of toxic venom and feeding on small animals such as lizards and occurs in a
prey including frogs, lizards, birds and mice. constriction is used. These snakes are known range of habitats from open woodlands to dry forests.
Many of these snakes are misidentified as to feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles VENOMOUS. Large individuals should be treated with
dangerously venomous snakes. including other snakes. caution. Average length 1.0m.

Common or green tree snake Death adder Yellow-faced whip snake

Dendrelaphis punctulatus Acanthophis antarcticus Demansia psammophis

Although, colloquially referred to as the yellow-bellied Colouration is variable, usually with contrasting cross Variable in colour; ranges from grey to grey-green above
black snake, the common tree snake is not closely related bands. A large, almost triangular head and stout body with with each scale dark edged. A yellow-edged, narrow dark
to the venomous ‘black’ snakes. Colouration varies from a short tail that tapers to a fine tip which is of contrasting bar around front of snout and a dark streak from eye to
brown, black, blue or green, usually with a yellow to colour; the tip bearing resemblance to the tail of a rodent. It corner of mouth gives the impression of a comma mark.
bluish-grey belly. When alarmed, the throat and body are feeds on reptiles, mammals and birds attracting its prey by It has pale to yellow scales in front of and behind the eye.
expanded, giving the impression of a larger head and using the tail as a lure. This swift-moving snake is active during the day, feeds
revealing a series of blue marks. Frequently found near on small lizards and occurs in a wide range of habitats
VENOMOUS and DANGEROUS. Average length 0.4m.
the coast, where it is often seen climbing structures or from coastal wet forests to the arid western regions.
foraging on the ground.
VENOMOUS. Average length 0.8m.
NON VENOMOUS. Average length is 1.2m.

Brown tree snake Red-naped snake Taipan

Boiga irregularis Furina diadema Oxyuranus scutellatus

Colouration ranges from cream to brown, typically reddish This species has a red or orange nape, which is usually Colouration above is uniform light brown to dark brown
brown with numerous narrow, irregular, dark cross bands. enclosed by the black head and neck band. However, in or almost black. Snout and lips usually pale. Eyes have
The Brown tree snake is commonly found near the coast, some individuals, the nape is a complete band causing a red/brown iris. A distinct neck is present. The belly is
is typically active at night, spends most of its life in trees, confusion with the orange-naped snake. The red-naped cream to yellow and blotched with pinkish-orange.
but also forages on the ground and is a frequent predator snake is a reddish-brown above; the flanks are lighter with It is restricted to the coastal areas and adjacent ranges
of aviary birds. This snake is often the victim of mistaken most scales bearing a dark brown or black diagonal edging. of central Queensland and may be active night or day,
identity as it has similar colouration to the highly It is nocturnal and common in coastal and central western feeding mainly on small mammals. This snake should be
venomous brown snake. Queensland. treated with extreme caution.
VENOMOUS. Not considered dangerous to humans. VENOMOUS. Not considered dangerous to humans. VENOMOUS and DANGEROUS. Average length 2.0m.
Average length is 1.4m. Average length 0.4m.

Keelback or freshwater snake Red-bellied black snake Common or eastern brown snake
Tropidonophis mairii Pseudechis porphyriacus Psuedonaja textilis

Head and neck colouration is grey-green or brown its body Colouration is black above with a red or pink belly. Lower Colouration varies from light brown/dark brown/ orange
is grey-green to brown typically with cross bands of darker flanks are pink or bright red. Tip of snout brown. Usually live to almost black. Head may be darker or lighter than the
flecks. Upper body scales are strongly keeled or ridged. near swamps, creeks or marshlands, but often found in the body colour. Head and neck patch of juveniles is black,
As the name implies, the freshwater snake is found in and ranges during cooler months. Feeding principally on frogs and in odd individuals, this is followed by a series of
around creeks, rivers and marshlands. It is active day and but also eats reptiles and small mammals. The introduced black bands. The belly is cream to yellow with blotches
night and feeds mainly on frogs (including cane toads). cane toad is believed to have contributed to the decline of of orange. Found in habitats ranging from open forests to
this species. grasslands and feeds on small mammals and reptiles.
NON VENOMOUS. Average length is 0.5m.
VENOMOUS and DANGEROUS. Average length is 1.5m. VENOMOUS and DANGEROUS. Average length 1.5m.