AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
Covering Australian Snakes and Lizards, Crocodiles and Turtles
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EASTERN BROWN SNAKE Pseudonaja textilis
Highly Venomous - Extremely Dangerous
This beautiful half grown Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) was photographed in the Canberra (ACT)
Approximate distribution of the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
Young Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) photographed at Onkaparinga, near Adelaide, South Australia
Young Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) photographed at Onkaparinga, near Adelaide, South Australia
This Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) was photographed at Billabong Zoo, NSW
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
This young Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) that has almost lost its head markings, was photographed in the Sturt Gorge, South Australia
This young Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) was photographed in the Sturt Gorge, South Australia
Juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) photographed near Dublin, South Australia
Juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) photographed near Dublin, South Australia
Juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) from
Seaham, NSW, just North-west of Newcastle
Juvenile Eastern Brown Snakes (Pseudonaja textilis) normally have a black head plus a ring around their neck, however many other snakes, legless lizards and some skinks have similar head markings.
Bands may or may not be present on the body. The bands usually vanish as the snake matures.
The above 2 photos of a young Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) from the Adelaide region show the most commonly seen pattern on juveniles of this species.
Juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) from South Australia
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
Adult Eastern Brown Snakes (Pseudonaja textilis) may vary in colour and patterning depending on geographic
location, as well as varying between individuals in one locality. They may also have speckles, blotches banding and/or other patterning.
Brown snakes and many other venomous snakes do not always inject venom when biting, however due to the extremely high toxicity of the venom and lack of symptoms in many individuals that have been envenomated, it is vital that first aid is performed immediately (Constrictive bandage etc) and the patient is taken immediately to hospital.
Correct and immediate treatment for Brown and other dangerous snakes increase the chance of survival.
Brown snakes have one of the most toxic snake venoms in the world, often ranked at number 2 worldwide, behind the Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), and bites are quite common, however despite that it ranks very low on a world wide scale when rated by human deaths, which would be on average less than 1 human death per year.
Compare that to the Saw scaled viper (not found in Australia) which has a less toxic venom, but is responsible for tens of Thousands of deaths per year.
Surprisingly nobody has died from a bite of an Inland taipan Oxyuranus microlepidotus!
Although people are commonly bitten by dangerous snakes in Australia, the actual number of deaths is actually very low, due to antivenines and
medical procedures.
Brown snakes are often described as aggressive! However most snakes behaviour is best described as defensive. They are the most common "large" snake that I encounter in the wild, and occasionally they will rear up (before retreating), especially if startled. However they normally just try and get away as soon as they can, unless cornered. If you attack one or pick one up however, this species will usually not hesitate to bite.
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