Peninsula Brown Snake

Identification and appearance

Upperparts range from black to brown or yellow-brown. Dark scale edges can create a net-like pattern, with additional fine speckling.

Typical length

The Australian Venom Research Unit lists a length of 1.2–1.6 m without defining a typical adult interval or maximum; numeric matching bounds remain unset.

Key identification features

• Brown, black or yellow-brown upperparts
• Dark edging or speckling
• Dangerously venomous

Where it is found

Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, South Australian islands and an isolated Nullarbor-coast population. AROD lists SA and WA, while the named localities in the Reptile Database and AVRU account do not resolve the isolated record to a modern WA locality; the WA assignment is therefore retained as qualified.

Diet

A study of museum specimens found few mammals among its prey.

Reproduction

Egg-laying.

Medical significance

For any suspected snakebite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid. Do not wait for identification.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep clear and do not handle it. Use a qualified snake catcher or local wildlife authority if it is trapped near people.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: Valentin Moser · CC BY 4.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Dugite

Pseudonaja affinis

A dangerously venomous brown-snake relative of Western and South Australia.

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 →

Taxonomy notes

AROD lists SA and WA. The Reptile Database and AVRU describe the peninsulas, South Australian islands and an isolated Nullarbor-coast population; the isolated WA assignment remains qualified pending a modern exact locality.