Posted on June 18, 2010 - by admin
Collett’s Snake
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Pseudechis colletti or Colletts Snake
An inhabitant of the Black Soil Plains of central western Queensland, Colletts Black Snake is considered one of Australia’s most beautiful snakes. The colour of individuals ranges from brown to cream to red, with dark bands or spots. The environment in which this snake lives is harsh and arid, where during the summer months the ground temperature often exceeds 45 degrees Celcius. The only way to escape from the extreme heat is to go deep underground. The snakes achieve this by utilising the deep cracks that appear in the ground. The Colletts Snake can reach a maximum length of 2.5 metres. Mature animals often become very thick in the body and as a consequence are heavy and strong. (more…)
Posted on June 19, 2010 - by admin
Spotted Black Snake
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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. (more…)
Posted on June 20, 2010 - by admin
Red-bellied Black Snake
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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. (more…)
Posted on June 21, 2010 - by admin
Western Brown Snake
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Pseudonaja nuchalis or Western Brown Snake
Western brown snake can be found over most of mainland Australia, being noticeably absent from the moister areas of the east, south east and south western Australia. Western Brown Snake shelter in disused mammal burrows and deep soil cracks, and under fallen timber and rocks. During warmer weather these snakes become nocturnal. They feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles, including other snakes. (more…)
Posted on June 22, 2010 - by admin
Eastern Brown Snake
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Pseudonaja textilis or Eastern Brown Snake
This is a large, diurnal (active during the day), dangerously venomous snake. We often get carried away with the potency of a snake’s venom, but the distribution and temperament of the animal is also an issue. In the last decade the Eastern Brown Snake has become the cause of most snakebite deaths in Australia. This is not because these animals are more aggressive – quite the contrary. When an Eastern Brown Snake is confronted it will lunge at the aggressor out of fear. (more…)
Posted on June 23, 2010 - by admin
Slaty-grey Snake
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Stegonotus cucullatus or Slaty grey Snake
The non-venomous Slaty grey Snake is found on Cape York Peninsula of North Queensland and the northern part of the Northern Territory. They feed on fishes (including eels), tadpoles, frogs, lizards, reptile eggs and small mammals. When feeding on small mammals, the Slaty grey Snake constricts its prey in a python-like fashion. When hunting they will happily climb into low shrubs or rocky banks in the vicinity of frog breeding sites. (more…)
Posted on June 24, 2010 - by admin
Rough-scaled Snake
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Tropidechis carinatus or Rough scaled Snake
Rough scaled snake is often confused with the harmless Keelback Snake. Both have rough scales that help them to climb. The Rough scaled snake has relatively long fangs, and a highly neuro-toxic venom. Recipients of a Rough scaled Snake bite often fall into unconsciousness within minutes of being bitten. Rough scaled Snake is closely related to the Tiger Snake group, and Tiger Snake anti-venom will effectively neutralize their venom. (more…)
Posted on June 25, 2010 - by admin
Keelback Snakes
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Tropidonophis mairii or Keelback Snakes
Keelback snakes are non-venomous snakes that love to eat frogs, tadpoles and lizards. Unlike most other Australian animals, keelback snakes can eat baby cane toads. They appear to be immune to low doses of cane toad toxin. This species, also know as the freshwater snake is very widespread, and variable in colour. Keelback snakes shelter and forage under debris, especially fallen timber and bushes; under clumps of vegetation, and even in the water. (more…)
Posted on June 26, 2010 - by admin
Care Sheet: Children’s Python
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Introduction on Childrens Python
This care sheet is for beginners and covers the basic maintenance of this group of pythons. You should join your local herpetological society, where you can meet others and obtain more detailed information on the keeping of these pythons.
The term “childrens python” is used to describe a group of small, rock dwelling pythons known as Childrens Python (Antaresia Childreni), Small Blotched Pythons (Antaresia Maculosa) and Large Blotched Pythons or Stimsons Python (Antaresia Stimsoni). Contrary to popular belief these pythons are not known as Children Python because it is the snake for children but because Antaresia Childreni was named after Mr. J.G. Children, an English naturalist. The Eastern Small Blotched Python and Childrens Python are most commonly bred by reptile keepers and hence most readily available, although Stimsons Python is also sometimes available. (more…)
Posted on June 28, 2010 - by admin
Road Testing Aussie Pythons
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A Short Guide To Snake Selection
Text & Images (except where indicated): Doc Rock
Australian Pythons: Southern Cross Reptiles
Introduction
Since I can remember, the late summer and early autumn months have been traditionally the busiest time for python sales in Australia. It is a period when young newly-bred pythons are starting to feed and breeders are keen to reduce their cleaning and husbandry responsibility by selling the fruits of the last 12 months labour. (more…)
