Australia has over 140 species of land snake, and around 32 species of
sea snakes which have been recorded in Australian waters. Around 100 Australian snakes are
venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you. The most
dangerous snakes belong to the front-fanged group, which includes the Tiger, Brown, Death
Adder, Mulga or King Brown and a few species of sea snake. Australia’s other snakes are the
solid-toothed non-venomous snakes (such as pythons, blind snakes and file snakes) and venomous rear-fanged snakes (such as the brown tree snake and mangrove snakes).
The most poisonous snake in Australia is the Taipan. Out of a possible score of 25, the
Taipan scores a mammoth 21. Other less poisonous snakes include, The Red Bellied Black,
Black Tiger, Copperhead, Gwardar, Collett's, Fierce, Eastern Tiger, Eastern Brown, Death
Adder and the Mulga. Snakes do not have eyelids and cannot close their eyes. Their eyes are
protected by a clear scale which is part of their skin and functions like a spectacle.
Many snakes have excellent eyesight, particularly some of the daytime predators and most
have good eyesight at least over short distances. With most snakes the sense of smell is
vital. A snake’s sense of smell is its forked tongue, which it flicks in and out of its
mouth. The tongue picks up scent particles from the air and any objects it touches, and
transfers them to two depressions in the roof of the mouth. These depressions are unique
to reptiles and detect scents transferred to them from the tongue. A snake’s nostrils are
only used for breathing. Snakes do not have outer ears, instead they hear with inner ears,
which pick up vibrations from the ground through the head and belly scales. Some nocturnal
snakes also have heat sensory pits to help them locate the ‘warm’ birds and animals they
prey on.
Please note: This is an informational page only. I am not a snake expert. If you have
queries about snakes or a certain type of snake most likely I will be unable to answer it.
A fantastic site to go to is the
Australian Reptile Park. They have loads of information there and are quick to
respond to questions.
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