Venomous Snakes
This list explores Australia’s venomous snakes, shedding light on their habitats, behaviors, and the precautions you can take to coexist safely with them. Understanding these snakes is key to appreciating their beauty while staying safe in their presence.
A Guide To Identifying Venomous Snakes
Sydney is home to some of Australia’s most venomous snakes, including the Eastern Brown Snake, Red-bellied Black Snake, and Tiger Snake. These snakes are frequently encountered in urban and bushland areas, making it essential to know how to identify them and stay safe. Learn more about Sydney’s venomous snakes and how to coexist safely with these fascinating reptiles.
Whip Snake
Demansia psammophis
Slender, fast-moving snakes with smooth olive to grey scales and a distinctive pale stripe across their face. Can be mistaken for an Eastern Brown Snake.
Slender, fast-moving snakes with smooth olive to grey scales and a distinctive pale stripe across their face. Can be mistaken for an Eastern Brown Snake.
Copperhead Snake
Agkistrodon contortrix
Medium-sized, robust with a glossy appearance, typically brown to reddish-copper in colour. Although venomous, bites are rare as they are shy and avoid confrontation.
Medium-sized, robust with a glossy appearance, typically brown to reddish-copper in colour. Although venomous, bites are rare as they are shy and avoid confrontation.
King Brown Snake
Pseudechis australis
A highly venomous Australian snake with a robust build, smooth scales, and variable coloration. It preys on reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Red-Bellied Black Snake
Pseudechis porphyriacus
A medium-sized venomous snake with glossy black upper scales and a striking red or pink underside. It prefers wetlands and feeds on frogs, fish, and reptiles.
A medium-sized venomous snake with glossy black upper scales and a striking red or pink underside. It prefers wetlands and feeds on frogs, fish, and reptiles.
Eastern Brown Snake
Pseudonaja textilis
A slender, highly venomous snake with varying shades of brown and a pale underside. Active during the day, it preys on rodents, reptiles, and birds.
Bandy-Bandy Snake
Vermicella annulata
A small, venomous snake with striking black and white bands. Nocturnal and fossorial, it feeds primarily on blind snakes and is rarely aggressive.
Tiger Snake
Notechis scutatus
The Tiger Snake is a venomous Australian species, known for its striped pattern, muscular build, and preference for habitats near water sources.
The Tiger Snake is a venomous Australian species, known for its striped pattern, muscular build, and preference for habitats near water sources.
Broad-Headed Snake
Hoplocephalus bungaroides
A medium-sized, venomous snake with a flat, triangular head and dark bands. Nocturnal and arboreal, it preys on reptiles, birds, and mammals.
A medium-sized, venomous snake with a flat, triangular head and dark bands. Nocturnal and arboreal, it preys on reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Death Adder
Acanthophis antarcticus
A short, venomous snake with a thick body, triangular head, and a luring tail tip. Ambushes prey like reptiles, birds, and mammals in diverse habitats.
A short, venomous snake with a thick body, triangular head, and a luring tail tip. Ambushes prey like reptiles, birds, and mammals in diverse habitats.
Stephen's Banded Snake
Hoplocephalus stephensii
A venomous, slender snake with distinct black and white bands. Secretive and nocturnal, it inhabits coastal regions, preying on small reptiles and amphibians.
A venomous, slender snake with distinct black and white bands. Secretive and nocturnal, it inhabits coastal regions, preying on small reptiles and amphibians.