Elapidae
Carpentaria Snake
Cryptophis boschmai
The Carpentaria Snake is a small Queensland snake that can be tan, brown or dark brown, sometimes with a faint dark line down the back. It occurs in dry forest and woodland.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
The body varies from tan to dark brown. Paler sides can make the darker centre of the back appear as a faint lengthwise stripe.
Other names
Carpentaria Whip Snake
Typical length
AROD reports an average of about 45 cm; a maximum was not given on the consulted page.
Key identification features
- Tan, brown or dark-brown body
- Possible faint dark line down the back
- Dry forest and woodland habitat in Queensland
Where it is found
Coastal and inland eastern Queensland; the species also occurs beyond Australia in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Habitat
A survey assessment in eastern Queensland reported it beside watercourses and in cleared areas.
Diet
Presumably skinks and other small lizards.
Reproduction
Live-bearing.
Medical significance
Species-specific clinical effects are not established in this profile. For any suspected bite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid without waiting for identification.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep clear and let it move away. If it is inside, keep people and pets out of the room and contact a qualified snake catcher.
Similar-looking snakes
The Small-eyed Snake is a documented lookalike, and their ranges overlap. A distant photograph may not show the features needed for a reliable identification.
Photo: Greg Tasney · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Licence)
Elapidae
Small-eyed Snake
Cryptophis nigrescens
A glossy black snake of eastern Australia. Its pale to pinkish-red belly can resemble markings on other dark snakes, so colour alone is unreliable.
Open identification guideTaxonomy notes
Historical names include Suta boschmai. It was also previously treated as geographic variation within Suta carpentariae.
Sources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Carpentaria snake (2026-09-25)
- The Reptile Database — Cryptophis boschmai (2026-09-25)
- Source for similar-species comparison (2026-09-26)
- Wandoan Coal Project assessment (2026-09-26)
Still not sure?
Compare this snake with more clues.
A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.