Elapidae
Little Spotted Snake
Suta punctata
A pale snake with darker scale markings, recorded in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
The upper body may be pale buff with small brown markings or richer reddish-brown. Some snakes show a darker zig-zag effect along the flanks or a short stripe near the front of the back.
Typical length
AROD reports an average length of about 40 cm. Conflicting total-length and snout–vent labels in Smith (1980) prevent a reliable maximum being used here.
Key identification features
- pale upperparts
- darker scale markings
- local variation in spotting
Where it is found
Recorded in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Activity
Nocturnal.
Diet
Recorded prey include lizards and blind snakes; these are individual observations, not an exclusive diet.
Reproduction
Live-bearing.
Medical significance
The consulted sources label this species venomous but do not establish a simple field estimate of clinical severity. Treat any suspected bite as an emergency. Call 000 for an ambulance and do not wait for identification.
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.
Sources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Little Spotted Snake (2026-09-25)
- The Reptile Database — Suta punctata (2026-09-25)
- Smith 1980 — Taxonomy of Denisonia punctata and Denisonia fasciata (2026-09-26)
- Maryan et al. 2020 — Phylogeny and taxonomy of Parasuta and Suta (2026-09-26)
- ANZCOR — Australian snake bite first aid (2026-09-26)
- Queensland Government — Little Spotted Snake (2026-09-26)
Still not sure?
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.