Red-bellied Black Snake

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Red-Bellied Black Snake
Red-bellied Black Snake at
Brisbane Forest Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Pseudechis
Species: P. porphyriacus
Binomial name
Pseudechis porphyriacus
Shaw, 1794
Range of Red-Bellied Black Snake (in red)

The Red-bellied Black Snake, Pseudechis porphyriacus, is a venomous species of elapid snake native to eastern Australia. Though its venom is capable of causing significant morbidity, it is not generally fatal and less venomous than other deadly Australian snakes. It is common in woodlands, forests and swamplands of eastern Australia. It is one of Australia's best known snakes, as it is common in urban areas along the eastern coast of Australia.

Contents

[edit] Appearance

The Red-bellied is glossy black on the dorsal surface and a brilliant red or crimson colour on the ventral surface. The snout is often a lighter brown colour. It is a relatively large species of snake reaching about 1.5m to 2.5m. Like all elapid snakes it is front fanged. It has 17 mid-body scale rows. It looks similar to the Eastern Small-eyed Snake.[1]

[edit] Distribution and habitat

The Red-bellied Black Snake is native to the east coast of Australia. The Red-bellied Black Snake can be found in the urban forest, woodland, plains and bushland areas of Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. It is most commonly seen close to dams, streams, billabongs and other bodies of water.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Nature

This is generally not an aggressive species. However, when provoked, it will recoil into its striking stance as a threat, but will try to escape at the first opportunity. It is active by day and night. When not hunting or basking it may be found beneath timber, under rocks or down holes and burrows.

[edit] Diet

The Red-bellied Black Snake's diet consists primarily of frogs, but it also preys on reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes, including those of their own species. The introduction of the cane toad has caused problems for the red-bellied black snake. Many snakes have been fatally poisoned while trying to eat the toxic toad. Small females also eat grasshoppers as a small meal when pregnant.

[edit] Venom

Although the Red-bellied Black Snake has the least toxic venom of the genus pseudechis, bites from Red-bellied Black Snakes are still in need of immediate medical attention. Tiger Snake antivenom is used to treat bites from red-bellied black snakes.[2] While black snake antivenom can be used, tiger snake antivenom can be used at a lower dose. The smaller dose is cheaper to produce, and is less likely to cause a reaction in the patient. .[3]

[edit] Reproduction

Red-bellied Black Snakes are ovoviviparous that is they give birth to live young in individual membranous sacs. The young emerge from their sacs very shortly after birth, numbering between 8 to 40, and which have an average length of about 22 cm.[4]There are many chances on surviving.

[edit] Taxonomy

"Coluber Porphyriacus", Zoology and botany of New Holland (1794)[5]

The species was first described by George Shaw in Zoology of New Holland (1794), placing it in the genus Coluber.[6] The accompanying illustration was attributed to James Sowerby, but is regarded as being produced from drawings by John White.[7]

[edit] Gallery

Wild Red-bellied Black Snake at Brisbane Forest Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Red-bellied black snake in zoo enclosure

Red-bellied black snake basking in the sun

Red-Bellied Black Snake at Brisbane Forest Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Red-Bellied Black Snake at Brisbane Forest Park, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Red Bellied Black Snake eating the eggs of a Green Tree Snake near Dungog, Australia

[edit] References

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Reptile Park. "Red Bellied Black Snake". http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animals.asp?catID=16&ID=116. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  2. ^ Toxinology.com. "CSL Antivenom Handbook". http://www.toxinology.com/generic_static_files/cslavh_antivenom_tiger.html. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  3. ^ Peter Mirtschin. "Relative Toxicity of Australian Snakes". http://www.barefootbushman.com/venoms.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  4. ^ Cogger, Harold G (1983) [1979]. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (Rev. ed.). Reed. p. 449. ISBN 0 589 50356. 
  5. ^ Tab. X of: Zoology and botany of New Holland and the isles adjacent / the zoological part by George Shaw, the botanical part by James Edward Smith; the figures by James Sowerby
  6. ^ Pseudechis porphyriacus at the TIGR Reptile Database
  7. ^ Picture Library State Library of Victoria

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_Black_Snake"