Snakes are reptiles, they are cold blooded, have scales and breathe air. There are four families of snakes present in the Kimberley; File snakes (1 species), Pythons (8 species), Colubrid snakes (6 species) and Venomous Land Snakes (23 species). The venomous snakes range from weak to potential deadly for humans. Venom is injected by two syringe like fangs at the front of the mouth.
Diet of snakes ranges from wallabies (Olive Python), frogs, small reptiles, eggs and even blind snakes.
FACT: Only one snake, the Keelback, is able to consume cane toads
FACT: Venomous snakes outnumber non-venomous snakes in Australia
Ref: Storr G.M; Smith L,A; & Johnstone R.E. “Snakes of Western Australia” WA Museum
Wilson, S. & Swan, G. “A Complete guide to reptiles of Australia.” New Holland Publishers. |
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Key characteristics to look for when identifying species:
Size
Colour
Scales – size, keeled, pattern
Pattern
Shape of head
Iris
Markings on head
Hood
There are 38 species of Snakes in the Kimberley. |
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Little File or Little Wart Snake
Acrochordus granulatus
Total Length: 1.26 m
Distinguishing features: Slender with pale grey to pale brown bands. Bands may be broken at midline. Dark grey to dark brown.
Habitat: Mangrove lined coastline
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Diet: Fish
Distribution: Kimberley to NW Queensland |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”.
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History”. |
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Children’s Python
Antaresia childreni
Total Length: 1.0 m
Distinguishing features: Tan, reddish brown or purplish brown with darker, roughly circular blotches. This pattern can be weak on adults, clear pattern on juveniles.
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Habitat: Rock outcrops, escarpments and woodlands
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Kimberley to NW Queensland
Similar Species: Stimson’s Python
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”. |
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Stimson’s Python
Anteresia stimsoni
Total Length: 89 cm
Distinguishing features: Prominent pattern of smoothed elongated bars or blotches and includes a pale ventrolateral line. Sub-species found in Kimberley, A. stimsoni orientalis, is pale brown, yellowish grown or cream |
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with darker brown to reddish brown pattern.
Habitat: Rock outcrops, escarpments and woodlands Distribution: WA, NT, SA, NSW & QLD.
Venom: Non-venomous |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Black-headed Python
Aspidites melanocephalus
Total Length: Up to 2.6 m
Distinguishing features: Black head, neck and throat. Body and tail cream, brown or reddish brown with blackish bands. Habitat: Open woodlands, shrublands and rock outcrops
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Diet: Reptiles, birds and mammals
Distribution: Dampier (WA) to Gladstone (QLD)
Venom: Non-venomous |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Woma Python
Aspidites ramsayi
Total Length: Up to 2.3 m
Distinguishing features: Head, neck or throat is never black. Python has dark bands with pale brown, yellowish brown or reddish brown.
Habitat: Woodlands, heaths and spinifex |
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Diet: Reptiles, birds and mammals
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Sub-humid to arid zone, WA, NT, SA and QLD
Status:Endangered IUCN, Specially protected WA. |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Water Python
Liasis mackloti
Total Length: Up to 2.5 m
Distinguishing features: Distinctive iridescent sheen. Dark olive brown, olive grey to black with yellow flanks and ventral surfaces.
Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, creeks
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and rivers. Nocturnal.
Diet: Reptiles, bird and mammals
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Tropical Aust, Broome to St.Lawrence (QLD)
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” .
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
© Brian Bush
© Dean Goodgame
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Olive Python
Liasis olivaceus olivaceus
Total Length: 4.5 – 6.5 m
Distinguishing features: Dark olive, olive brown to yellowish brown. Ventral (lower) surfaces cream to white. Often mistaken for a brown snake, olive python has smaller scales.
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Habitat: Often along watercourses, with rocky areas
Diet: Reptiles, birds and mammals
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Coulomb Point (WA) to western QLD |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” .
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
© Brian Bush
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Rough-scaled Python
Morelia carinata
Total Length: Up to 2 m
Distinguishing features: Slender with large eyes. Brownish white with large angular dark brown blotches. Keeled dorsal scales and fragmented head scales.
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Habitat: Monsoon forest in sheltered sandstone gorges
Diet: Mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Mitchell River falls to Hunter River, Kimberley |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Carpet or Diamond Python
Morelia spilota variegata
Total Length: Up to 2.5 m
Distinguishing features: Highly variable. Reddish brown to blackish brown with simple pale dark-edged ragged bands.
Habitat: Hollow trunks, limbs, caves, rock crevices, house rafters.
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Diet: Mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Northern WA and NT. Many different sub-species across Australia.
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Night Tiger / Brown Tree Snake
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snake 10 |
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Night Tiger or Brown Tree Snake
Boiga irregularis
Total Length: up to 2 m
Distinguishing features: Long, slender, bulbous head with narrow neck. Large eyes with vertical pupils. Cream on upper and lower surfaces, with prominent red bands.
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Habitat: Gorges and escarpments
Diet: Reptiles, birds, mammals and frogs
Venom: Weak
Distribution: Kimberley, NT, QLD to Sydney (NSW)
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” .
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Brockadam
Cerberus australis
Total Length: up to 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Upper surface is shades of grey to brick red with narrow dark bands. Lower surface is cream with broad dark bands. Upward directed, protruding eyes with vertical pupils.
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Habitat Mangrove lined tidal creeks
Diet: Fish
Venom: Weak. Can emit foul odour from anal glands.
Distribution: Kimberley to Cape York (QLD) |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Green Tree Snake or Common Tree Snake
Dendrelaphis punctulatus
Total Length: up to 1.2 m
Distinguishing features: Yellow with pale grey or bluish head and neck
Habitat: Woodlands, rainforest and gardens
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Diet: Frogs, reptile eggs and mammals
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Kimberley to Sydney (NSW)
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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White-bellied Mangrove Snake
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snake 13 |
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White-bellied Mangrove Snake
Fordonia leucobalia
Total Length: Up to 93 cm
Distinguishing features: Colour variable from black, to reddish brown, to cream. Pattern of blotches, spots or bands can be clear or absent. Broad head, rounded snout and small eyes.
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Venom: Weak
Habitat: Mangrove lined tidal channels and mudflats
Diet: Crabs. Bites off legs and claws before consumption
Distribution: Nickol Bay (WA) to Cape York (QLD) |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Richardsons Mangrove Snake
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snake 14 |
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Richardsons Mangrove Snake
Total Length: Up to 41 cm
Distinguishing features: Colour grey, olive brown or brown with irregular dark bands. Long narrow head with small upward-directed eyes and vertical pupils.
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Habitat: Mangrove lined tidal channels and mudflats
Diet: Fish
Venom: Weak
Distribution: Derby (WA) to Gulf of Carpentaria (QLD) |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Keelback Snake
Tropidonophis mairii
Total Length: Up to 93 cm
Distinguishing features: Grey, olive, black, yellow to a rich reddish brown, with narrow dark bands or spots mixed with dark and pale flecks. Scales are strongly keeled.
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Habitat: Usually found near water
Diet: Frogs, reptile eggs, mammals and fish. Can eat cane toads, consumption of large toads can be fatal.
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Kimberley, NT, QLD, northern rivers (NSW) |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Northern Death Adder
Acanthophis pralongus
Total Length: Up to 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Broad head with slender ‘worm-like’ tail. Grey, dark brown or reddish brown, with weak to sharp contrasting bands. Darker head from brown to black, lips usually barred.
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Tail tip cream or black. Strongly keeled scales. Scales form raised peaks above eyes.
Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands and rocky outcrops
Diet: Reptiles, mammals and frogs
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: Kimberley to QLD |
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Desert Death Adder
Acanthophis pyrrhus
Total Length: Up to 71 cm
Distinguishing features: Relatively slender. Broad head, with slender ‘worm-like’ tail. Pale reddish brown or rich red, with cream to yellow bands. Lines of dark flecks.
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Strongly keeled scales. Segmented tail tip, dark or pale or banded.
Habitat: Spinifex desert and rock outcrops
Diet: Reptiles, mammals and frogs
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: Kimberley to southern WA, NT and SA. |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Northern Shovel-nosed snake
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snake 18 |
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Northern Shovel-nosed Snake
Brachyurophis roperi
Total Length: Up to 37 cm
Distinguishing features: Wedge-shaped rostral scale tipped with broad cutting edge. Small dark eyes. Orange, reddish brown to grey with darker bands. Bands are larger than paler interspaces.
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Habitat: Heavy soils to rocky ranges
Diet: Reptile eggs
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Kimberley to NT |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Northern Small-eyed snake
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snake 19 |
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Northern Small-eyed Snake
Cryptophis pallidiceps
Total Length: Up to 55 cm
Distinguishing features: Depressed head, squarish snout, smooth and glossy scales and small black eyes. Black, dark grey to brown. Head paler, orange tinge on flanks.
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Habitat: Woodlands
Diet: Reptiles and frogs
Distribution: Kimberley and northern NT
Venom: Non-venomous |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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Olive or Marbled-headed Whipsnake
Demansia olivacea
Total Length: Up to 83 cm
Distinguishing features: Very slender, long tail, large prominent eyes. Swift and alert. Weak pattern. Brown with ventral (lower) surfaces yellow to blueish yellow. Dark colours on throat.
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Habitat: Woodlands
Diet: Reptiles and reptile eggs
Distribution: Kimberley to northern NT
Venom: Potentially dangerous
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Greater Black Whipsnake
Demansia papuensis melaena
Total Length: Up to 1.65 m
Distinguishing features: Very slender, long tail, large prominent eyes. Swift and alert. Dark slate grey. Weak pattern, becoming paler and redder towards the tail. Top of head tan, eye usually edged |
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with narrow pale margin.
Habitat: Woodlands
Diet: Reptiles and reptile eggs
Venom: Potentially dangerous
Distribution: Kimberley to Cape York (QLD)
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Yellow-faced Whipsnake
Demansia psammphis cupreiceps
Total Length: Up to 1 m
Distinguishing features: Very slender, long tail, large prominent eyes. Swift and alert. Narrow pale edged line extends around snout. Each scale dark edged. Head and tail flushed with copper. |
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Habitat: Open dry habitat Diet: Reptiles, reptile eggs and frogs
Venom: Bite painful but not dangerous
Distribution: Kimberley sub-species. Species found in WA, SA, NSW and QLD. |
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Grey Whipsnake
Demansia simples
Total Length: Up to 53 cm
Distinguishing features: Robust, short tail with large prominent eyes. Swift and alert. Brownish grey in colour. Eye usually edged with brown and margined by yellow.
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Habitat: Grassy woodlands Diet: Reptiles
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: Northern Kimberley and Jabiru (NT)
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Lesser Black Whipsnake
Demansia vestigiata
Total Length: Up to 1.2 m
Distinguishing features: Very slender, long tail, large prominent eyes. Swift and alert. Dark brown, reddish brown to dark grey. Scales often with individual dark markings. Eye usually edged with broken pale margin.
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Habitat: Woodlands and health
Diet: Reptiles
Venom: Potentially dangerous
Distribution: Ord river (WA) to Ipswich (QLD)
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Moon or Orange-Naped Snake
Furina ornata
Total Length: Up to 65 cm
Distinguishing features: Head and neck
glossy dark brown to black, bisected by red to orange band across neck, darkens to absence with age. Reddish brown, orange brown to yellowish brown with dark edges to scales.
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Habitat: Woodlands, shrublands and spinifex deserts
Diet: Reptiles, especially skinks
Venom: Non-venomous
Distribution: WA, NT and QLD. |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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Taipan
Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus
Total Length: Up to 3 m
Distinguishing features: Orange brown iris and long pale head with angular brow. Colour ranges from yellowish brown, reddish brown to almost black. Head paler than body.
Habitat: Woodlands, monsoon forests, most abundant on well-timbered grassy
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slopes.
Diet: Mammals Strongly keeled scales. Segmented tail tip, dark or pale or banded.
Venom: Highly Dangerous
Distribution: Kimberley, NT and QLD to northern NSW |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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King Brown or Mulga Snake
Pseudechis australis
Total Length: 2 – 2.5 m
Distinguishing features: Colour highly variable from pale brown, olive to rich reddish brown. Lower (ventral) surfaces cream to white. Noticeable scales, strongly keeled.
Habitat: Woodland, monsoon forests to desert
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Diet: Invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles, reptile eggs, birds and mammals
Venom: Highly dangerous
Distribution: WA, NT, QLD, SA and NSW
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Ingram’s Brown Snake
Pseudonaja nuchalis
Total Length: Up to 1.8 m
Distinguishing features: Narrow head and moderately large eyes, round pupils with dark iris. Mouth-lining bluish black to bluish grey. Colour shades of brown, each scale dark tipped.
Habitat: Low lying seasonally flooded, hides in soil cracks
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Diet: Reptiles and mammals
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: Kimberley and NT to QLD
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Ringed Brown Snake
Pseudonaja modesta
Total Length: Up to 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Pale grey to
reddish brown. Black patch on top of
head and broad black band across neck, 4 and 12 evenly spaced black bands from nape to tail-tip, pattern may be absent for some individuals. Orange-brown iris. Scales keeled.
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Habitat: All semi-arid to arid areas except black soil plains
Diet: Reptiles, particularly skinks
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: WA, SA, NT, NSW and QLD |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Western Brown Snake or Gwarda
Pseudonaja nuchalis
Total Length: Up to 1.6 m
Distinguishing features: Red iris, forming a broken circle. Blackish mouth lining. Becomes paler in summer, black scales on nape show W or V pattern. Lower (ventral) surfaces cream to bright yellow with blotches.
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Upper surface many different colours from dull brown to red to bright orange.
Habitat: All dry to arid areas Diet: Reptiles, mammals and frogs
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: WA, NT, SA, Victoria, NSW and QLD |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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Eastern or Common Brown Snake
Pseudonaja textilis
Total Length: Up to 2.2 m
Distinguishing features: Iris pale brown with pink mouth-lining. Mid-body scales in 17 rows. Many different colours brown to almost black. Darker individuals often have paler head. Keeled scales.
Habitat: All habitats, except moist areas
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Diet: Reptiles and mammals Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: Disjunct Kimberley population, eastern Australia from QLD to Victoria
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Desert Banded Snake
Simoselaps anomalus
Total Length: Up to 21 cm
Distinguishing features: Protruding flattened snout, small eye and dark iris. Distinctive colour pattern, yellowish orange to reddish orange with 24-40 black rings. Glossy black head, with white bar across nostrils.
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Habitat: Sandy spinifex desert
Diet: Reptiles Venom: Weak
Distribution: WA, NT and SA |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Dampier Burrowing Snake
Simoselaps minimus
Total Length: Up to 22 cm
Distinguishing features: Cream in colour,
each scale has reddish brown edge. No
banding, apart from broad black band across head and narrower black band across neck. Swims in sand.
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Habitat: Coastal dunes and surrounding acacia shrubland
Diet: Reptiles, particularly skinks
Venom: Venomous
Distribution: Only found in Dampier Land. Kimberley |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Ord Snake
Suta ordensis
Total Length: Up to 76 cm
Distinguishing features: Dark banding on lower (ventral) surface, slight to no pattern on upper (dorsal) surface. Pale iris. Brown to greyish brown, fine dark edge to scales. Cream stripe on upper lip.
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Habitat: Black soil, cracking clay.
Diet: Reptiles, mammals and frogs
Venom: Bites can cause extreme discomfort
Distribution: Only found between Ord to Victoria Rivers |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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Little Spotted Snake
Suta punctata
Total Length: Up to 52 cm
Distinguishing features: Clear dark spots on neck, head and snout, over an earth coloured, orange to yellow coloured head. Yellowish brown to reddish brown. Each scale can be coloured with a darker brown.
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Habitat: Woodlands and spinifex grassland
Diet: Lizards, skinks, dragons and blind snakes
Venom: Unsure
Distribution: WA to QLD
Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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Curl Snake or Myall Snake
Suta Suta
Total Length: Up to 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Dark edged, pale stripe on side of head. Olive, brown or reddish brown, dark edge to scales. Top of head and hood usually darker. Lips and lower (ventral) surface cream. Pale iris. Curls up into tight coil and thrashes wildly when threatened. |
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Habitat: Likes heavy loam or cracking clay soils
Diet: Reptiles, frogs and mammals
Venom: Dangerously venomous
Distribution: Disjunct Kimberley population. Main population from eastern NT to Victoria |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
Shine, R. “Australian Snakes: A Natural History” |
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Bandy Bandy
Vermicella intermedia
Total Length: Up to 61 cm
Distinguishing features: 76 to 127 black
and white rings around body and tail. Lower (ventral) surface may be marked by black and white mottling. If threatened contorts body into hoops, thrashing in moonlit can make snake difficult to see.
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Habitat: Burrower, found above ground at night or after rain
Diet: Blind snakes
Distribution: Mitchell and Liveringa Plateau. Also found in Darwin, Humpty Doo and Katherine. |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia” |
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Bandy Bandy
Vermicella multifasciata
Total Length: Up to 36 cm
Distinguishing features: Very narrow black and white bands around body. Very slender. Bands may be mottled black and white on lower (ventral) surface.
Habitat: Burrower, found above ground at night or after rain
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Diet: Blind snakes
Venom:
Distribution: Around Lake Argyle, also Melville Island and Darwin |
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Ref: Wilson S. & Swan G. “A complete guide to Reptiles of Australia”
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