Australian Snakes | Cool Companions

Archive for the ‘Australian Snakes’ Category

Posted on May 20, 2010 - by admin

Arafura File Snake

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This entry is part 2 of 40 in the series Australian Snakes

Acrochordus arafurae or the Arafura File Snake

The Arafura file snake inhabits the lowland freshwater systems of northern Australia and New Guinea. As a non-venomous snake they kill their food (mainly fish) by constriction, much like land-dwelling pythons. The skin of the file snake is very coarse (hence the name ‘file snake’), which enables it to grip the slippery fish it preys
on. While quite agile in the water, file snakes are awkward movers on land. Despite this, they can travel for hundreds of metres when necessary. (more…)

Posted on May 19, 2010 - by admin

Common Death Adder

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This entry is part 1 of 40 in the series Australian Snakes

Acanthophis antarcticus or the Death Adder

The death adder is a nocturnal venomous snake. Unlike most snakes, the death adder hunts only by ambush. They lie hidden under leaves, waiting for prey to move within striking range. To entice prospective meals their way death adders possess a lure at the end of their tails. The snake moves this lure to make it look like a small worm. The potential predator then becomes the prey.The venom of the death adder is highly neurotoxic, causing muscle paralysis. (more…)