Photographed in leaf litter near Mission River, Queensland.
Elapidae
Cape-York Shovel-nosed Snake
Brachyurophis campbelli
A small Queensland snake with dark bands across a reddish to orange-brown body.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
A small Queensland snake with reddish to orange-brown colour, dark head and neck bars, and repeated dark body bands separated by pale spaces.
Typical length
AROD lists an average size of about 40 cm; no separate maximum is given.
Head appearance
dark head and neck bars
Key identification features
- Reddish to orange-brown body
- Dark head and neck bars
- Repeated dark body bands
Where it is found
Northern Queensland, from Cape York Peninsula south towards Longreach.
Diet
Presumably feeds on reptile eggs.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Medical significance
The sources checked document venom but do not establish species-specific effects in people. Treat any possible bite as an emergency and call 000.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep your distance and leave the snake a clear route away. Do not handle it, chase it for a photograph or attempt to inspect its mouth. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets clear and contact a qualified local snake catcher.
Taxonomy notes
The Reptile Database accepts Brachyurophis campbelli. Older treatments have placed it under B. semifasciatus; AROD also discusses historical uncertainty involving B. roperi.
Sources checked
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.