Elapidae
Speckled Brown Snake
Pseudonaja guttata
Speckled Brown Snake is a variable brown snake of arid grasslands and black-soil plains in the Northern Territory, Queensland and north-eastern South Australia.
Dangerously venomous
Identification and appearance
The species ranges from uniform pale fawn to bright orange-brown above; some individuals have blackish cross-bands or blotches. The belly is creamy orange to bright orange with brighter orange spots. These variable patterns should be treated as comparison clues only.
Other names
Spotted Brown Snake
Typical length
The University of Melbourne AVRU gives a usual length of 0.5–0.8 m and says 1.4 m occurs occasionally; the Queensland government gives an average of 50 cm and maximum of 80 cm. The disagreement is retained rather than replacing the usual interval with an average or sample maximum.
Key identification features
- Pale fawn to orange-brown upper surface
- Possible blackish cross-bands, blotches or speckling
- Creamy to bright orange belly with orange spots
Where it is found
South-central and western Queensland, eastern and isolated north-central Northern Territory populations, and extreme north-eastern South Australia.
Habitat
Speckled Brown Snakes occur in arid grasslands on clay soils and on black-soil plains.
Activity
Primarily diurnal, but may be crepuscular or nocturnal in hot weather.
Diet
Primarily frogs as adults, with occasional lizards and small mammals.
Reproduction
Egg-laying; clutches average about six eggs.
Medical significance
Treat any suspected bite as an emergency. Call 000 and follow Australian snakebite first aid; do not wait for identification.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep well clear and never attempt to catch or corner a brown snake.
Similar-looking snakes
Speckled and Eastern Brown Snakes can look alike where their ranges overlap; colour alone does not reliably separate them.
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 guideTaxonomy notes
Current name Pseudonaja guttata; the species was described by Parker in 1926.
Sources checked
- University of Melbourne AVRU — Pseudonaja guttata (2026-09-26)
- Queensland Government — Snakes of the Mt Isa region (2026-09-26)
- Miller & Schwaner 1982 — The Speckled Brown Snake, BHL record (2026-09-26)
- ANZCOR — Australian snake bite first aid (2026-09-26)
- Species identification comparison (2026-09-26)
Still not sure?
Compare this snake with more clues.
A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.