THE REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS OF AUSTRALIA - ELAPIDS

ROUGH-SCALED SNAKE
or
Clarence River Snake
Tropidechis carinatus
Dangerously Venomous

Subadult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld


Approximate distribution of the Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus)



Adult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld.

This species is often mistaken for a Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)


Subadult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in Julatten, North Qld.



Subadult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld


Adult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld



Adult Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) photographed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld


Captive Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) at Luke's Reptile Kingdom on the Gold Coast, Qld


Captive Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) at Luke's Reptile Kingdom on the Gold Coast, Qld

This Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) that has recently eaten a large food item was photographed near Coffs Harbour NSW


This Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) was photographed near Coffs Harbour NSW


This Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) was photographed near Coffs Harbour NSW

The dangerously venomous Rough-scaled snake can be distinguished from the harmless Australian Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) by its single anal and subcaudal scales (all divided on the Rough-scaled snake), a straight mouth as opposed to a slightly up-curved mouth on the Australian Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) , and the absence of a loreal scale.

If you look at this photo you will notice that there is one large scale in front of the eye (preocular) and in front of that is the nasal scale. However the Australian Keelback would have an extra scale called the loreal scale between those scales.

Note that Australian Keelbacks (Tropidonophis mairii) may have obvious lip markings where the scales meet (sutures) which are normally absent on the Rough-scaled Snake, however this is not a reliable method of differentiating the species.

 
Note that Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) patterning varies considerably, and sometimes has more distinctive banding than those pictured on this page. Its distribution overlaps that of the Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) in some regions and it is often mistaken for that species (which is also extremely dangerous).



This is a neonate Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) , locality unknown.

Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus)

Venomous snakes do not always inject venom when biting, however due to the extremely high toxicity of the venom of this species, it is vital that first aid is performed immediately (constrictive bandage etc) and the patient is taken immediately to hospital. Lack of symptoms may not mean that the victim has not been envenomated.

Correct and immediate treatment for this species and other dangerous snakes increase the chance of survival significantly.

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.

Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) antivenine is normally used to treat Rough-scaled snake bites.

Do not confuse this species with the Rough Scaled Python (Morelia carinata) due to its similar common and scientific names