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Em Lamond · CC BY 4.0 · Licence · Source · Resized without cropping; converted to WebP; metadata removed.

Elapidae

Short-nosed Snake

Elapognathus minor

A small Western Australian snake with a dark-grey, patternless body and pale neck bars.

Venomous

Identification and appearance

AROD describes dark-grey upperparts, a patternless body, light face, pale neck-side bars and large eyes.

Typical length

AROD reports an average of about 40 cm; a maximum was not given.

Head appearance

large eyes

Key identification features

Dark-grey patternless body
Pale neck-side bars
Large eyes

Where it is found

South-western Western Australia.

Activity

Its partly grasping tail helps it climb through low vegetation.

Diet

Frogs and lizards.

Reproduction

Live-bearing.

Medical significance

AROD describes low usual danger to people. That does not establish the safety of an unidentified snakebite: call 000 and follow snakebite first aid for any suspected bite.

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

Western Crowned Snake has a dark band behind the head and lacks the pale markings along the sides of the neck seen in Short-nosed Snake. The neck may be hidden in a photograph.

Sources checked

Australian Reptile Online Database — Short-nosed Snake (2026-09-25)
The Reptile Database — Elapognathus minor (2026-09-25)

For any suspected snakebite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid.

Snake bite first aid

Call 000 for an ambulance for any suspected snakebite, even if the person feels well.

If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR immediately. CPR takes priority over bandaging.

If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, gently place them on their side, keep their airway open and keep checking their breathing. Follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

Keep them lying still and reassured. For an arm or leg bite, apply a firm pressure bandage over the bite and along the whole limb, then splint it. Leave the bandage and splint in place for hospital staff. Stay with the person and monitor breathing.

Do not wash, cut or suck the bite, apply a tourniquet, or try to catch or kill the snake.

Based on ANZCOR snakebite guidance and pressure immobilisation guidance. Sources checked 25–26 September 2026.

Read the full first-aid guide →

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