Red-Bellied Black Snake
Photo: C & D Frith
Australian Tropical
Reptiles & Frogs
Red-Bellied Black Snake: (Pseudechis porphyricus ) - This is one of eastern Australia’s best known larger venomous snakes.
- Although its venom is not lethal it should be treated as such and a bite should be treated seriously. Their venom is Haemotoxic and Cytotoxic.
- There is no record of any human ever having died from the bite of a Red-Bellied Black Snake.
Markings: - The common name originates from the slightly pinkish colour of its ventral (underside), scales and the first row of its lateral (topside) scales.
- It is jet black in colour with a paler brownish snout.
- The underside of the tail is blackish
Habits: - It is not aggressive and is not eager to cause a disturbance and attack. When it is provoked, it will recoil into its striking stance as a threat but will try to escape at the first opportunity.
- It is a diurnal snake that is usually associated with streams and water bodies or other well watered areas such as rainforests.
- When not hunting or basking it may be found beneath timber, under rocks or down holes and burrows.
Diet: - this includes ; frogs, snakes , lizards, birds, mammals and some fish.
Size: - Adults average a length of 1.5 meters but healthy specimens can reach 2.5meters.
- Young hatch from membranous sacs and are laid in clutches of 12 to 20.
- The Red-bellied black Snake is unusual because of the fact that,
the young are born live, in a clutch of 12 to 20 individual, milky, transparent
membranous sacs and there is no incubation period.
The Young break out of their sacs at birth.
Viewing Opportunities: - The Red-Bellied Black Snake can be seen, escaping your approach, during rainforest walks.
- They are found in Northern and eastern Queensland as well as New South Wales, Victoria ans southern South Australia.
Additional Red-Bellied Black Snake Photos Red-Bellied Black Snakes of the Lamington National Park. |
