Pilbara Bandy-bandy

Identification and appearance

A slender body is marked with black-and-white bands. The pattern is shared by related bandy-bandies, so range and expert confirmation matter.

Typical length

AROD reports an average length of about 50 cm; no typical adult interval or maximum is established here.

Body build

slender

Key identification features

• slender body
• black-and-white bands
• related bandy-bandy pattern shared by other species

Where it is found

Northern Western Australia, including the Pilbara region; the checked sources do not establish occurrence across all northern WA.

Reproduction

Egg-laying.

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.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: dhfischer · CC BY 4.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Common Bandy-bandy

Vermicella annulata

A snake with bold black-and-white rings around its body, found across much of eastern and central Australia.

Open identification guide →

Taxonomy notes

Older samples identified as snelli before the 1996 revision may include more than one currently recognised species.