Australia and the Pacific Islands 



Head scales : The usual 9 on crown, supraoculars 

 long ; preocular generally in contact with nasal. 



Body scales : Dorsals smooth, in 15 rows through- 

 out body or in 17 rows which may be reduced to lo jinste- 

 riorly. Ventrals 139-203 ; anal plate divided ; subcau- 

 dals paired throughout, 25-62. 



Maxillary teeth : Two large fangs followed, after 

 a wide interspace, by 7-10 small teeth. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Brachyaspis Boulenger, 1896. 

 Bitrdick. 



The single, little-known species (li. curta) is found 

 in southwestern Australia. It Is small, attaining a 

 length of about 20 inches, and is capable of delivering 

 a very i)ainful, though not a lethal, bite. 



Definition: Head large and distinct from the neck; 

 an obtuse canthus r(jstralis. Body short and relatively 

 stout ; tail short. 



Eyes small : pupils vertically elliptical. 



Head .scales : The usual 9 on the crown ; frontal 

 long and broader than supraoculars. Xasal usually in 

 contact with preocular, but may be narrowly separated 

 from it by prefrontal. 



Body scales: Dorsals smnoili in 111 slightly obli(iue 

 rows at midbody reduced to l.'i or 13 posteriorly. Ven- 

 trals, 12.8-138; anal plate entire; subcaudals single, ZO- 

 35. 



Maxillary teeth : Two large fangs followed, after an 

 interspace, by 2-5 small teeth. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Brachyurophis GiJnther, 1863. 

 Girdled siuikes. 



Seven species are currently recognized. They inhabit 

 most of Australia except for the Inunid southeaslern 

 coastal regions. All are small sand-dwelling, burrowing 

 species and are not believed to be dangerous. 



Definition: Head short and not distinct from neck; 

 snout distinctly pointed ; no canthus rostralis. Body 

 moderatel.v slender with little taper; tail .short. 



Eyes small ; pupils round. 



Head scales : The usual 9 on the crown ; rostral 

 shovel-like with sharp anterior edge and with an angn- 

 late rear edge that partly divides interna.sals. Later- 

 ally, nasal in contact with preocular. 



Body scales : Dorsals smooth. In lii-17 nonoblique 

 rows at midbody. Ventrals 133-170 ; anal plate divided ; 

 subcaudals paired. 17-27. 



Maxillary teeth : Two moderately large fangs with 

 external groove followed, after an interspace, by a single 

 small tooth. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Demons/a Gray, 1842. 

 Brown snakes and wliip snakes. 



Six species are currently recognized, two of which 

 are highly dangerous to man. Both D. trxtilifi and D. 



olivacea are found in southeastern Xew Guinea as well 

 as on mainland Australia ; the latter occurs also on 

 Melville Island. The other species are restricted to 

 mainland Australia. 



Definition: Head elongate with a distinct canthus 

 rostralis, only slightly distinct from neck. Body slender 

 and racerlike ; tail long and ta|)ering. 



Eyes large; pupils round. 



Head scales : The usual 9 on the crown ; frontal 

 long and narrow. Laterally, nasal in contact with 

 single preocular. 



Body scales : Dorsals smooth, in 15-21 rows at mid- 

 body, more anteriorly and fewer posteriorly. Ventrals 

 167-225 ; anal plate divided ; subcaudals jiaired through- 

 out, 44-92. 



Maxillary teeth : Two relatively short fangs followed, 

 after an intersiiace. by 8-13 small teeth. 



Black Whip Snake, Demansia olivacea (Gray). 



UUntifieation: This snake superficially re.sembles the 

 harmless racers and whip snakes of North America and 

 Eurasia. However, the short snout, with only two 

 scales between nostril and eye, warns of its elapid rela- 

 tionship. Adults average 4 to 5 feet; occasional indi- 

 viduals exceed C feet. 



Rich brown above, fading to a greenish-blue under- 

 neath. Each body scale edged with bhick ; skin between 

 scales with many irregular light stipiile marks. A dark 

 collar sometimes present ; the entire coloration becomes 

 darker toward the tail. Head sometimes spotted, with 

 or without light markings on sides. 



Dorsals in 15 rows at midbody ; ventrals 180-200 ; 

 subcaudals 09-105. 



Distribution: Found in open sandy areas of northern 

 Australia, southeastern Xew Guinea, and on Melville 

 Island. 



Remarks: The black whip snake is active during the 

 day. It Is fast-moving and normally inoffensive. Or- 

 dinarily it will flee if able. However, if injured or cor- 

 nered it will defend itself fiercely and may inflict several 

 bites in rapid succession. The bite of a large individual 

 is iiresumed to be dangerous. 



A polyvalent antivenin ("Brown Snake") is made for 

 this group of snakes by the Commonwealth Serum La- 

 boratories of Australia. 



Australian Brown Snake, DemauMa textUis (Du- 

 meril, Bibrou and Diinieril). 



Identifieatiim: Head narrow and deep, slightly dis- 

 tinct from neck. Adult snakes average 5 to 6 feet ; 

 record length about 7 feet. 



Body color almost any shade of brown, ranging from 

 light grayish tan. through reddish brown, to dark brown. 

 Juveniles may have a series of distinct narrow cross- 

 bands (about >V> on body. 15 on tail I plus a dark collar. 

 Most adults almost unicolor above. Many have con- 

 spicuous dark spots or blotches on the cream, gray, or 

 yellowish belly. 



Dorsals in 17-19 rows at midlMnly: ventrals 184-225; 

 subcaudals 45-75. 



147 



