Brown Tree Snake

Identification and appearance

A slender climbing snake with a distinct head and prominent eyes. Eastern animals are often brown or orange-brown with dark bands; western forms may have a pale background and reddish bands.

Other names

Night Tiger, Doll’s Eye Snake, Boiga fusca

Typical length

AROD lists a species average of about 140 cm and a separately reported maximum of 200 cm.

Body build

slender

Head appearance

head distinct from neck

Key identification features

• Slender body and prominent eyes
• Body colour and cross-banding vary geographically

Where it is found

Native to northern and eastern coastal Australia and also found beyond Australia in New Guinea and Indonesia. The introduced Guam population lies outside its native range.

Habitat

This species uses woodland and rainforest as well as built-up areas. It may occupy tree hollows, rocky faces or building rafters, and also spends time on the ground.

Activity

Mostly active at night, climbing trees, rock faces and buildings.

Diet

Eats small vertebrates and bird eggs. Young snakes take frogs and lizards; larger animals also eat birds and mammals.

Reproduction

Oviparous.

Medical significance

The consulted source describes weak venom. Treat a suspected snakebite as an emergency: call 000 and follow snakebite first aid.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep well clear and leave a route towards cover. Do not chase, corner, handle or inspect it. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets away and contact a qualified local snake remover.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Licence)

Colubridae

Green Tree Snake

Dendrelaphis punctulatus

A very slender, agile snake with a long tail, often seen moving through gardens or low branches. Despite the name it may be olive, brown, black or even blue. Green colour is only one possible appearance of this non-venomous species.

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