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Australian Copperhead Snake – how to identify, avoid their habitat, and treatment for their bite.

Lowland copperhead in Mullawallah Wetland (formerly Winter Swamp) Ballarat, Victoria

Australian copperhead or Denisonia superba

Austrelaps is a genus of venomous elapid snakes native to the relatively fertile, temperate, southern and eastern part of the Australian continent. Three species are currently recognized, with no subspecies. They are commonly called copperheads or Australian copperheads. They are not closely related to the American copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix.

Common names include copperhead, diamond snake, superb snake, lowland snake, and highland snake.

Description

Coloration is reddish brown to dark brown. A few from Queensland are black.

Characteristics

Rather sluggish disposition but will bite if stepped on. When angry, rears its head a few inches from the ground with its neck slightly arched. Its venom is neurotoxic.

Habitat

Swamps.

Length

Average 1.2 meters (4 feet), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).

Distribution

Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and Kangaroo Island.

Image Credits

In-Article Image Credits

Lowland copperhead in Mullawallah Wetland (formerly Winter Swamp) Ballarat, Victoria via Wikimedia Commons by Ed Dunens with usage type - Creative Commons License. August 28, 2015

Featured Image Credit

Lowland copperhead in Mullawallah Wetland (formerly Winter Swamp) Ballarat, Victoria via Wikimedia Commons by Ed Dunens with usage type - Creative Commons License. August 28, 2015

 

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