Australia and the Pacific Islands 



Papuan Black Snake, Pseudechi^ pupuanus Peters 

 and Doriu. 



Identification: Adults are 5 to 7 feet in length. 



Body color black or brown, both above and below. 

 Chin whitish. There is no distinct color pattern. 



Dorsal scales in 19-21 rows at midbody, 17 rows 

 posteriorly. Ventrals 216-226; subcaudals 49-58, of 

 which the first 21-38 are single, the posterior ones 

 paired. 



Dittrihiition: Found only in southeastern Xew Gui- 

 nea, Frederick-Hendrik Island, and Yule Lsland. 



licmarks: This snake is closely related to the Au- 

 stralian mulga snake. It is active during the day. 

 Although little is known of its habits, it has a more 

 toxic venom than its relatives. 



A specific antivenin ("I'apuan IJlack Snake") is pro- 

 duced by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories of 

 Australia. 



Red-bellied Black Snake. Pxeudech'is porphyrlaciis 



(Shaw). 

 Identification: The average adult size is ii to 6 feet; 



record Icngtli .Tbout 7 feet. 



Figure 108. — Red-bellied Black Snake, Pscudcchis por- 

 pliyriaciix. Probably the best known of the i)oi,s()n()Us 

 snakes of Australia. Photo by Eric Worrell. 



Body color w luiiform glossy imrplish-black above, 

 and red, pink, or bright orange below. 



Dorsal scales in 17 rows throughout body. Ventrals 

 180-210; 48-66 subcaudals, of which the first 5-20 are 

 usually single, the remainder paired. 



Distribution: Swamps, coastal areas, and forested 

 regions of eastern and southern Australia (Queensland, 

 Xew South Wales. Victoria, and South Australia). It 

 is a good swimmer and is often seen crossing rivers and 

 bays. 



licmarVa: This is one of the most common and best 

 known of the venomous snakes of Australia. It is 

 active during the day. It is shy and will avoid human 

 contact if given the ojjportunity. However, it will de- 

 fend itself with a niimber of feinted strikes if cornered. 

 Although it bites only under considerable provocation, 

 more bites are recorded for this snake than for any 

 other Australian snake. Less than one percent of the 

 bites are fatal, however, and it is not generally con- 

 sidered a deadly snake. 



"Tiger Snake" antivenin, iiroduccd by the Common- 

 wealth Serum Laboratories of Australia, is used in the 

 treatment for its bite. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus fihinop/ocep/ia/us, Muller, 1885. 

 Miiller's snake. 



A single species, R. hicolor Muller, is known from 

 southern Western Australia. It is small, up to about 

 16 inches in length, and is not believed to be dangerous. 

 Almost nothing is known of its habits. 



Definition: Head small and only 

 from neck ; snout broad and flattened, 

 and moderately slender ; tail short. 



Eyes small : pupils round. 



Head .scales: Inlernasals absent, giving 7 instead 

 of the usual 9 scales on the crown ; rostral very broad 

 and slightly free from the other scales on the sides. 

 Laterally, nasal in contact with preocular (with the 

 lower preocular when there are two). 



Body scales : Dorsals smooth, in l.T rows at mid- 

 body ; reduced to 13 posteriorly. Ventrals 149-159 ; anal 

 plate entire: subcaudals single, 28-34. 



Maxillary teeth : Two fangs of moderate size fol- 

 lowed, after an interspace, by 2-4 small teeth. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Rhync/ioe/ops Jan, 1858. 

 l>escit banded snake. 



Two species are currently recognized : both inhabit 

 the dry regions of Australia. Neither attains a length 

 of more than 16 inches ; they are not considered dan- 

 gerous to man. 



Definition: Head small, flattened above but not dis- 

 tinct from neck: snout prominent, with obtusely angular 

 edge: canthus rostralis indistinct. Body cylindrical, 

 moderately slender ; tail short. 



Eyes small : pupils round. 



Head scales : The usual 9 on the crown ; rostral 

 broad, obtusely angulate posteriorly ; frontal long, much 



slightly distinct 

 Body cylindrical 



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