Highlands Copperhead

Identification and appearance

AROD describes dark grey to reddish-brown upperparts, reddish flanks and heavily barred lips. The documented habitat is moist upland country such as creeks and marshes.

Typical length

AROD reports an average of about 115 cm; a maximum was not given on the consulted page.

Body build

robust

Key identification features

• Dark grey to reddish-brown body
• Reddish flanks and barred lips
• Moist upland, creek and marsh habitat

Where it is found

Highland areas of eastern Victoria and New South Wales, extending north to the New England Tableland. It also occurs in the ACT, where the ACT Government lists it among resident snakes.

Activity

Usually most active during the day.

Diet

Mostly frogs and reptiles; AROD also notes occasional invertebrates.

Reproduction

Live-bearing.

Medical significance

A suspected bite is an emergency. Call 000 and follow snakebite first aid; do not wait for symptoms or identification.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep well clear and give it a route away. If it is near a home or path, contact a qualified snake catcher.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: Max Tibby · CC0 1.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Lowlands Copperhead

Austrelaps superbus

A variable venomous copperhead of lowland south-eastern Australia.

Open identification guide →

Photo: Max Tibby · CC0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Tiger Snake

Notechis scutatus

Tiger snakes may be banded, faintly marked or completely plain. They are robust snakes associated with many southern wetlands, but also occur in drier habitats. A black snake in Tasmania, or one without stripes, can still be a tiger snake.

Open identification guide →

Photo: Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark · CC BY 2.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Eastern Brown Snake

Pseudonaja textilis

An Eastern Brown Snake is not always brown. Adults can be tan, orange-brown or nearly black, while young snakes may have striking dark bands. A relatively small head and slender body are more useful clues than the name alone.

Open identification guide →

Photo: The original uploader was Figaro at English Wikipedia. · Public domain (Licence)

Elapidae

Red-bellied Black Snake

Pseudechis porphyriacus

A glossy black snake often seen around creeks, wetlands and farm dams in eastern Australia. Red or pink along the lower sides is a useful clue, but it can be hidden by the snake's position and is much paler in some northern animals.

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Taxonomy notes

The Reptile Database lists New South Wales and Victoria, while AROD also lists the ACT; the ACT entry is retained with that source qualification. The species was formerly included within Austrelaps superbus.