Western Desert Taipan

Identification and appearance

A very slender, elongate taipan with tan-brown to chocolate-brown upperparts, a paler beige-brown head and sometimes faint herringbone lines. Field confirmation requires specialists.

Other names

Central Ranges taipan

Typical length

AROD lists a species average of about 152 cm and a separately reported maximum of 180 cm.

Body build

slender

Head appearance

rounded snout

Key identification features

• Very slender and elongate body.
• Tan-brown to chocolate-brown upperparts, sometimes with faint herringbone lines.
• Paler beige-brown head and black iris.

Where it is found

Confirmed material includes Western Australia, including the Walter James Range and Great Victoria Desert. An older Central Ranges/NT record could not be confirmed because the specimen was lost; the SA border near the type locality is not a confirmed occurrence.

Habitat

Western Desert Taipans live in arid desert country in Western Australia.

Diet

Small mammals

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 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: Photo by XLerate · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Inland Taipan

Oxyuranus microlepidotus

A large brown snake of the remote Channel Country, strongly associated with cracking clay soils. The head is generally darker than the body, which can change noticeably with the season. It is unlikely to be the snake seen in an ordinary coastal backyard.

Open identification guide →

Photo: Danny S. · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Coastal Taipan

Oxyuranus scutellatus

A large snake of northern and north-eastern Australia, often with a pale face and a noticeably narrower neck. Its body may be reddish-brown, dark brown or almost black. Colour alone can easily lead to confusion with brown snakes or mulga snakes.

Open identification guide →

Taxonomy notes

The 2012 redescription adds adult Great Victoria Desert material in WA. A historical Central Ranges record near the NT region was considered likely but could not be confirmed because the specimen was lost; SA is a border reference, not a confirmed occurrence.