Snake ID

[andrewbish]

My new avatar pic was taken near Upper Howqua Camping Ground in Vic last weekend.

It was about a metre long - possibly shorter. Gun-metal grey colour, with slight yellowish marking on the belly. Smallish head.

I think it's a Tiger Snake, but am not certain.

Any snake experts out there?

[Updated with larger image]

Another, similar snake on the same trip.

Last edited by andrewbish on Sun 20 Feb, 2011 10:11 am, edited 2 times in total.

[ollster]

My partner has a PHD in Herpetology, so I'll ask her when she's back this arvo... but I don't think it's a tiger snake (as someone who's seen more than he would have liked!). The head doesn't look the right shape to me.

Yeah, posting a bigger pic would help I think.

[ILUVSWTAS]

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl= ... 66&bih=587

[ollster]

Whaddya think ILUV? I've seen Tigers that colour, but there's something about the head shape, and it seems to have some markings on the face... just not right to me.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Looks like the guy in the link I posted above. Swamp Snake. Found in NSW and VIC. Could be the culprit??

[Mickeymoo]

Definantly a Copperhead Snake (Austrelaps superbus), Tigers have a chunkier head, more of triangle shape than the narrower head of the copperhead, and they generally don't have the larger scales around the snout at the front either.

[andrewbish]

Hi Michael

I think you got it - it's very much like the photo here too. (Only the world's 11th most venomous snake apparently )

Thanks.

PS. Had a peek at your website - stunning photos!

[taswegian]

Beaut picture of a much maligned species - thanks for posting.

somewhere I had a simple line drawing showing the different head patterns of Copperhead and Tiger snake.
The shape of the scales are distinct and easily differentiate.
The shields are different.

Snakehead.jpg (7.85 KiB) Viewed 13732 times

But I can't find the drawing so thats a lot of help and Google didn't throw anything up.
Somone may have it.

just found this if you want to look closeup
The anal scale is single, as are the 35–65 subcaudal scales. The frontal shield scale is almost square.
Lets all line up and be the first to try that on a real live beauty.

[andrewbish]

Nice one.

- had a go to wikipedia to understand the differenct scales.

..and next time I see one I'll be sure to check its anal scale.

[Mickeymoo]

Hi Michael

I think you got it - it's very much like the photo here too. (Only the world's 11th most venomous snake apparently )

Thanks.

PS. Had a peek at your website - stunning photos!

Yeah reasonably easy to tell the difference once you have seen the head scale layout on each species, we only have the three snake species here, but all are deadly (the smallest, the White-lipped Snake is thought to have similar venom to the other two, but as it's quite small poses far less danger), and although the Tiger is rated at number 4 in the world Copperheads always made me nervous because they are a lot more twitchy and nervous!! I have attached a couple of pages out of the book called Snakes and Lizards of Tasmania by Mark Hutchinson, Roy Swain and Michael Driessen (I used to keep snakes) which may be of interest to some, which shows an easy to understand key to the three species.

Thanks Andrew

Attachments

[ollster]

Copperheads always made me nervous because they are a lot more twitchy and nervous!!

I find tigers much more threatening... it's the eyes I think, and the short but angular face. Eyes too close together...

[Earthling]

Copperheads always made me nervous because they are a lot more twitchy and nervous!!

I find tigers much more threatening... it's the eyes I think, and the short but angular face. Eyes too close together...

I like tigers, seen a lot in WA.
Mulga has a nice wide head too..have to be my favourite snake!

[flyfisher]

Mulga has a nice wide head too..have to be my favourite snake!

Don't think "my favourite snake" is a term that I can relate to. I treat our snakes with respect and a degree of curiosity but not a lot of affection.

[abowen]

The one that scares me the most is the Eastern Brown. They are the jack jumpers of the snake world. They chase you! Fortunately we don't have these in Tassie, but I have had a couple of close encounters with these in Victoria. They are very aggressive!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh i've heard stories about those Andrew, Chasing people inside houses and the like....

Re: your signature, no possum shed coffee isnt worth any points, but after our long day i felt something had to be added to the sig. Also their coffee is the best ive had anywhere and deserves a mention!!

Did you get out for a paddle on Sunday???

[abowen]

Hi Mark,
Didn't paddle on Sunday either. Had left the kayak on the car in case, but it was way too blustery on the river. On Sunday, with Dan, just dropped off the borrowed kayaks and headed for home. The end to a rather disappointing planned trip. On the upside though, the camp at Huon River was a good night and I managed to spend some time cruising with no particular aim - something that rarely happens.
I see that Dan put something up on the forum under Mt Solitary. I will go back sometime this year, but spend a bit more time so I can at least get one or two days of reasonable weather. Plenty of paddling and kayaking to do up there.
Cheers
Andrew