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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.
- 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.
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 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.
Red-Bellied
Black Snakes of the Lamington National Park. |
