Elapidae
Spotted Black Snake
Pseudechis guttatus
A large dangerous black snake with variable dark, pale and broken-crossbanded forms, recorded from New South Wales and Queensland.
Dangerous; the species is venomous
Identification and appearance
Some snakes appear almost uniformly dark, while others have a pale grey or cream ground colour outlined by dark scale edges. Intermediate individuals can show narrow, interrupted crossbands. The body is robust and the head remains dark across these colour forms.
Other names
Blue-bellied Black Snake
Typical length
The Australian Museum reports a largest measured specimen of 185 cm snout–vent length. Average adult snout–vent lengths were about 135.8 cm for males and 124.4 cm for females. These exclude the tail and are not used as total-length matching bounds.
Body build
robust
Key identification features
- Variable dark, pale and intermediate forms
- Broken crossbands in some individuals
- New South Wales and Queensland range
Where it is found
Southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, mainly west of the coastal ranges.
Habitat
Wetlands and river floodplains are part of its habitat, alongside dry forest and woodland. Cover includes fallen timber, cracks in the soil, unused burrows and thick vegetation.
Activity
Usually hunts by day, but may keep searching for food into warm evenings.
Diet
Eats mammals, frogs and other reptiles, including lizards and snakes, with invertebrates taken occasionally.
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
The Red-bellied Black Snake is a documented lookalike. Lower-side colour can provide a clue, but never approach or turn a snake over to inspect it.
Photo: The original uploader was Figaro at English Wikipedia. · Public domain (Licence)
Elapidae
Red-bellied Black Snake
Pseudechis porphyriacus
A glossy black snake often seen around creeks, wetlands and farm dams in eastern Australia. Red or pink along the lower sides is a useful clue, but it can be hidden by the snake's position and is much paler in some northern animals.
Open identification guideSources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Spotted Black Snake (2026-09-25)
- Australian Museum — Blue-bellied Black Snake (2026-09-26)
- The Reptile Database — Pseudechis guttatus (2026-09-25)
Still not sure?
Compare this snake with more clues.
A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.