Elapidae
Strap-snouted Brown Snake
Pseudonaja aspidorhyncha
A slender brown snake of inland southern Australia, with variable body banding.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
The narrow body is brown and may carry dark bands of varying strength. The shape of the snout is a technical identification feature, not a reason to approach a snake.
Other names
Pseudonaja gowi
Typical length
AROD lists a species average of about 120 cm; this attributed figure is not treated as a typical adult interval and no separate maximum is set.
Body build
slender
Head appearance
Snout has a chisel-like outline from above
Key identification features
- Slender body
- Variable brown colouring
- Dark body bands may be present
Where it is found
Descriptive accounts place it in southern central Australia from the western Eyre Peninsula toward central NSW; AROD also lists QLD, VIC and NT, so the checked range remains partial rather than a complete state-by-state map.
Diet
Mostly lizards and mammals.
Reproduction
Egg-laying.
Medical significance
The Australian Museum warns that bites from brown snakes are potentially life-threatening. Treat any suspected bite as a life-threatening 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
Other brown snakes overlap in colour and banding. Appearance alone cannot distinguish them safely.
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
Photo: Lachlan Copeland · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Licence)
Elapidae
Western Brown Snake
Pseudonaja mengdeni
A slender inland brown snake with yellow, orange or brown body forms and variable dark markings.
Open identification guideTaxonomy notes
The state list and descriptive range do not align cleanly; the broader state record is retained, but locality coverage is not treated as complete.
Sources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Strap-snouted Brown Snake (2026-09-25)
- The Reptile Database — Pseudonaja aspidorhyncha (2026-09-25)
- Australian Museum — Western brown snakes (2026-09-26)
- Northern Territory Government — Threatened species review 2020 (2026-09-26)
- ANZCOR — Australian snake bite first aid (2026-09-26)
- Museums Victoria Collections, Strap-snouted Brown Snake (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.