Snakes and Reptiles of Australia: Elapids

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequatPythons occur in all mainland Australian States but they are most common in the tropical north where eight of Australia’s 15 species are found. They range from the Pygmy Python,with a total length of 50 cm,to the largest snake in Australia, the Amethystine Python, recorded at 8.5 In long. All except the Woma and the Black-headed Python have a broad head,a relatively narrow neck and heat sensitive pits on their lips.

The pits are capable of detecting differences in temperature and assist m locating warm-blooded prey: all pythons constrict their prey. They are mainly nocturnal but they are sometimes encountered basking during the day. Although pythons are non-venomous, they have sharp backward-curving teeth and can inflict a painful bite. Pythons are the only snakes to retain the vestiges of hind-limbs: these take the form of spurs situated on either side of their vent.

All pythons lay eggs.The female pushes them into a mound that she can coil around while they incubate. She will stay coiled around the eggs, not eating, and leaving only to heat up in the sun.When the young emerge from the eggs and disperse the female departs to find food for herself. From birth the hatchings are on their own and must fend for themselves.

Whip Snake

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Curl Snake

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Southern Snake

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Snakes and Reptiles of Australia

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Elapids

Whip Snake

Curl Snake

Southern Snake

Venomous Tree Snake

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Taipan

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Tiger Snake

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Death Adder

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