Black snakes are quite variable in colour ranging from black, browns, faded greyish to the delightful mottled red on black.The infamous “king Brown Snake” is actualy the “King Black Snake” or more correctly called the Mulga Snake. The venom of black snakes is quite distinctive with obvious signs of pain around the bite site. They require antivenom in serious cases typically black snake antivenom or tiger snake antivenom for Red – bellied Black Snake or Blue -bellied Black Snake bites.

Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis

Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis

Potentially dangerous

2.0 -2.8m

Feeds on snakes, lizards, frogs, mamals andbirds

Quite pugnacious in larger adults, will threaten and bluff. Can bite and approach if harassed

This widespread species is found to nearly the Victorian border in the north west well across to Western Australia. heavy set snake when full grown, has dangerous venom, pronounced and devastating local effects like several of pseudechis spp. Aggressive and dramatic volumes of anti venom is required in severe bites..

Butler's Snake Oseudechis butleri

Butler’s Black Snake Pseudechis butleri

2.0 metres

Feeeds on mice,

(Restricted to remote region near Yalgoo and Mt Magnet).

Collett’s Snake Pseudechis colletti

Potentially dangerous

2.0 metres

Feeding on mice, rats, lizards, snakes and frogs.

The snake occurs in central inland Queensland. Occurs in tussock grasslands growing on black soil. Living in the deep cracks in the soil. Rarely seen by most people.

Blue-Bellied Black Snake Pseudechis guttata

Papuan Black Snake Pseudechis papuensis (Restricted to Sabai Is. North of Weipa, Queensland)

Red bellied Black Snake

Red-Bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus

Potentially dangerous

1.2. – 2.0 metres

Feeds on frogs, lizards, snakes and rodents.

Common along waterways, rivers, swamps and marshlands.

Great threat display yet usually flees from people.

Widespread along eastern Australia from South Australia across Victoria all along the eastern seaboard to north Queensland. A distinctive snake either confused with some species or vice versa. E..g. lowland copperheads are often called red -bellied Black Snakes due t o superficial appearances. Venom while potentially dangerous has more sinister local effects than systemic effects, In other words loss of digits, feeling hands or bitten limbs is common. No deaths have been recorded from these snakes.

Pygmy Mulga Snake Pseudechis weigeli

Potentially dangerous

1.2 metres

Feeds on lizards, frogs and snakes

Usually flees disturbance.

A population of snakes near Mt. Isa and another distinct species that occurs from far – north Western Australia into Northern territory, near Darwin. Small to medium elapid snake with vague reticulated patterns on dorsal body. usually a brownish colouration. Easily confused with brown snake species.