THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA - ELAPIDS

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
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Selection of Australian Frogs

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REPTILES OF THE WORLD SPECIES LISTS


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

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

Approximate distribution of the Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) MAP
Approximate distribution of the Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus)


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 Julatten, North Qld.


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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Rough-scaled snake Tropidechis carinatus
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.


Rough scaled snake - Tropidechis carinata  
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).


Rough scaled snake - Tropidechis carinata
This is a neonate Rough Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) , locality unknown.

The Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) is regularly mistaken for the common Freshwater Snake or Australian Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) which is a harmless colubrid, and grows to about 1 metre long. Females gives birth to an average of about 10 live young (possibly every second year). It is generally regarded as an aggressive species. Although those I have encountered in the wild have shown no sign of aggression at all!

Rough scaled snake - Tropidechis carinata
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

LINKS OF INTEREST

Click here for more Information about Australian Elapid Snakes

RECOMMENDED AMAZON BOOKS
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Australian Snakes In Captivity (A Guide to) Working with Snakes: A comprehensive information and training manual for professional Australasian snake consultants Kindle Edition

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OTHER LINKS

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Elapids

Elapids

Elapids
of
The World

Elapids
of
Australia

AUSTRALIAN ELAPID SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY



Elapids of South Australia

ELAPID SNAKES OF NSW

Qld ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

NT ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

WA ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

ELAPID SNAKES OF VICTORIA

Elapids of ACT

ELAPIDS OF TASMANIA

Elapids
of South
Australia

Elapids
of
NSW

Elapids
of
Qld

Elapids
of
NT

Elapids
of
WA

Elapids
of
Victoria

Elapids
of
ACT

Elapids
of
Tasmania

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY

Reptiles of South Australia
REPTILES OF VICTORIA
 REPTILES OF NSW REPTILES OF QUEENSLAND REPTILES OF NORTHERN TERRITORY REPTILES OF Western Australia Reptiles of the ACT(Canberra)

Reptiles of South Australia

Reptiles
of
Victoria

Reptiles
of
NSW

Reptiles
of
Qld

Reptiles
of
NT

Reptiles
of
WA

Reptiles
of the
ACT

Reptiles of Tasmania

MORE REPTILE SPECIES LISTS

Reptiles of Lord Howe Island

Reptiles of Christmas Island

Reptiles
of Cocos Keeling Islands

Reptiles of Norfolk Island


Reptiles of Australia

Selection of Australian Frogs

Reptiles of the World

Amphibians of the World

Reptiles
of
Australia

Frogs
of
Australia

Reptiles
of
The World

Amphibians of the
World




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Contact John Fowler Author of the Australian Herpetology Website

Contact John Hollister Author of John Hollister Reptile Collection - Herping the Trans-Pecos & Sweetwater, Texas Rattlesnake Roundup

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Updated April 8, 2024


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