Snakes Alive - identify these

[bushrover]

These were under a rubber mat at a camp in Karratha, from a Safety Share from Rio Tinto.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/8.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/9.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/10.jpg

[easo]

Well I'll be knackered...

[CraigE]

Got sent that last week as well.:)

[bushrover]

Got sent that last week as well.:)

Hey, Craig, how's Area C?

[d@rk51d3]

King Browns?

[Landy Smurf]

i hate snakes and that is like some of my nightmares even now i still cringe just looking at snakes.

[gimposarillios]

iv identified the fact id be putting that mat back down

[slug_burner]

brown? dugite?

[Aussiebean]

I asked a mate who knows a think or two about snakes, he says:-
they are keelbacks...
fresh water snakes..non venomous...only snake that can eat cane toads....
they are georgeous..
my friends would like some red ones..

[CraigE]

I asked a mate who knows a think or two about snakes, he says:-
they are keelbacks...
fresh water snakes..non venomous...only snake that can eat cane toads....
they are georgeous..
my friends would like some red ones..

They are not Keelbacks, not near Karratha, WA. By the scale pattern they are venemous, I would say they are variations of King Browns. Unusual to see such a multitude of colours in one spot, but King Browns change colour with age and climate.

[Landy Smurf]

well he wouldnt be fighting me for them. i know alot of people like snakes and that not all are venomous but the first thing i think of when someone says something about a snake or if i see one is get the shovel and kill the bastard.

[CraigE]

Hey, Craig, how's Area C?

Yeah, its not too bad. Miss Newman a bit though, not sure about living in Metropolis though.;)

[bussy1963]

They definitely look like King Browns to me. The patterns are very close to brown snakes. The brown can also be a very blackish color to absorb heat.

[Chucaro]

I think that it is a Copperhead snake but I will need to see the head better to make up my mind if it is a Copperhead or a Mulga (Pseudechis australis)AKA king brown.
Mulgas are from the same group as the Black snakes.
Colors varies according to territory, in Qld some Mulgas are very palid and the one in the photo is red as the copperhead.

[miktdi]

Look like brown snakes nasty

[bob10]

From the book " Australias dangerous snakes" the closest is the Western Brown. ID; small head, indestinct from neck. Slender, streamlined body. Dorsal colouration is extremely variable, the predominant form being olive-grey or any shade of brown. [ sometimes merging on black.]with scattered dark scales on the neck.Other forms may be strongly banded, or have a glossy black head & nape. Egg-layer, may produce up to 22 in a clutch. Usually less aggressive than the common brown, its venom is powerfully neurotoxic, with some blood destroying properties, regarded as one of our deadliest species. Apart from that, nothing to worry about [ except that mum is out there somewhere]. Bob :)

[bushrover]

I reckon you're all wrong. Being a Queenslander every snake is a taipan, it's just the colour, size and shape that varies.



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/3.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/4.jpg

[Chucaro]

A close shot of the head, perhaps by cropping the image and enlarge it will help to have a better id.
This is a close shot of a taipan

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/1444.jpg

[bushrover]

A close shot of the head, perhaps by cropping the image and enlarge it will help to have a better id.
This is a close shot of a taipan
Sheet, I struggle to post photo's, let alone enlarge and crop. I think they are Western Brown or Gwarder (pseudonaja nuchalis) from my wife's snake book.

[Celtoid]

BTW....best not touch......:o

[ugu80]

well he wouldnt be fighting me for them. i know alot of people like snakes and that not all are venomous but the first thing i think of when someone says something about a snake or if i see one is get the shovel and kill the bastard.

80% snake bites occur to people when they try to kill the snake that bit them. Just leave them alone, they will go away as they really don't like being around people; bit like me, really.

[bob10]

A close shot of the head, perhaps by cropping the image and enlarge it will help to have a better id.
This is a close shot of a taipan

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/1444.jpg
That's a face only his mother could love. Their range, according to the book , is from about Grafton, across the top end, to the Kimberley region of WA. It favours "wind rows", which border sugar cane paddocks, also favours rock heaps & ground rubbish, such as sheet iron, timber & fibro. The Taipan, the book says, has an undeserved reputation as being extremely aggressive. It is actually a shy & retiring species, prefering to retreat than attack.If cornered or provoked, however, it will defend itself with a ferocity unequalled by any other Australian snake [ married men will recognise that trait] Its extreme agility enables it to deliver several lightning like strikes in rapid succession. This coupled with its large fangs and quantity of potent neurotoxic venom [ which also causes the blood to clot] , injected at a bite, make it one of our deadliest species. Close encounters with this snake dangerous snake should be avoided at all times.[ Known in some circles as the " mother-in-law snake" ................ok, I made that bit up :D ] Bob

[easo]

Nup, wrong wrong wrong, they are simply all classified as (biteous-sliverin) the Bitey Snake! Commonly found everywhere and anywhere in all shapes, sizes, colors and flavors. The Bitey Snake enjoys small rodents, lizards and long slivers on the beach tail in tail with a good female companion whom he'll never call again. The most dangerous of all Biteys is the Hoop Bitey Snake (biteous-endoverend-sliverin) who unusually can bite their own tail and commence rolling like a wagon wheel in order to cover more ground after a few Bitey Beers and some Maccas.

:D :D :D

Hope that clears it up, Easo

[Landy Smurf]

80% snake bites occur to people when they try to kill the snake that bit them. Just leave them alone, they will go away as they really don't like being around people; bit like me, really.

i dont go out looking for them but normally where i find them(near the house or near a camp site) i dont feel to comfortable them being there espically with a little dog around. i take the chances in those cases put the jeans and boots on and shovel.there was a local family whether this story is true or not i dont know my nan thought it was because it was supposably some people she knew of. there was a at least 3 brothers in this family and one and they were out working on the farm and a snake came out and bit one of the brothers on the boot they soon after checked to see if it went through or had actually bitten his foot/leg they couldnt find anything but the next day they found him dead in his bed. a while after his death one of the other brothers got his dead brothers boots and started wearing them and a while after that he also suddenly died. then the 3rd brother wore the boots after his 2nd brother died and he become very ill and they rushed him to hospital.they found a fang in the boot somewhere from the 1st brother that got bitten. anyway thats the story. i am hoping they got rid of the boots

[bob10]

. The most dangerous of all Biteys is the Hoop Bitey Snake (biteous-endoverend-sliverin) who unusually can bite their own tail and commence rolling like a wagon wheel in order to cover more ground after a few Bitey Beers and some Maccas.

:D :D :D

Hope that clears it up, Easo
The life long enemy of the Hoop bitey snake is the much feared Qld drop bear, which is the reason Qlders. are often looking to the sky [ nothing to do with praying for rain ] Bob

[Landy Smurf]

i love scaring tourists or foreigners about animals in Australia they are so gullible. i wonder if we are so gullible about other countries. or is that we just like **** stirring and taking the ****

[Tombie]

i dont go out looking for them but normally where i find them(near the house or near a camp site) i dont feel to comfortable them being there espically with a little dog around. i take the chances in those cases put the jeans and boots on and shovel.there was a local family whether this story is true or not i dont know my nan thought it was because it was supposably some people she knew of. there was a at least 3 brothers in this family and one and they were out working on the farm and a snake came out and bit one of the brothers on the boot they soon after checked to see if it went through or had actually bitten his foot/leg they couldnt find anything but the next day they found him dead in his bed. a while after his death one of the other brothers got his dead brothers boots and started wearing them and a while after that he also suddenly died. then the 3rd brother wore the boots after his 2nd brother died and he become very ill and they rushed him to hospital.they found a fang in the boot somewhere from the 1st brother that got bitten. anyway thats the story. i am hoping they got rid of the boots


What a load of CRAP :p

[Tombie]

well he wouldnt be fighting me for them. i know alot of people like snakes and that not all are venomous but the first thing i think of when someone says something about a snake or if i see one is get the shovel and kill the bastard.

As someone else posted, leave them alone!

Most bites are people trying to kill them.

Unless you are in a life threatening situation (eg.. Its in your house, or about to eat your dog) its *illegal* to kill them.

If I saw you (or anyone else) killing one for no good reason, there would be photos, and a call to the authorities.

Killing one because "I want to camp there" isn't a valid excuse...:mad:

[uninformed]

I checked, they are not trouser snakes

[Landy Smurf]

where did you check?

[Saitch]

Very hard to tell from the photos. We have resident keelbacks (& they do eat small to medium toads..yeehah) around our dam & the only real way to tell the difference to a brown is by the loreal scale on the side of the face & getting that close to a brown coloured snake is not recommended although I would hazard a guess that the Karratha environment is not the keelbacks scene, but I'm definitely no expert. Also the brown snake is actually of the black snake family so colours can differ. Also, I find snakes & spiders cute! Ticks & leeches I hate.

[Chucaro]

I remember in our farm at Childers we used to have more than one brown snake under the house and there were about 6 juveniles about 25 cm long in the machinery shed.
They never bother us, my only concern was if some of them claimed the tractor as a nest :)
They are an important part in the ecosystem and those that do not like it is easy, just move to the big smoke :D

[Landy Smurf]

As someone else posted, leave them alone!

Most bites are people trying to kill them.

Unless you are in a life threatening situation (eg.. Its in your house, or about to eat your dog) its *illegal* to kill them.

If I saw you (or anyone else) killing one for no good reason, there would be photos, and a call to the authorities.

Killing one because "I want to camp there" isn't a valid excuse...:mad:
well the camp site only happened twice because they were in a swag, good enough reason for me i think so. i dont know about you but we live in the country and have had a few snakes around the house from time to time.having young kids and small dogs around i think is a good enough reason to kill them. i dont really care if it is illegal or not if they are around the shed or house they need getting rid of. you are most welcome to bring your camera anytime.as i said i dont go looking for them i hate them.

[KarlB]

It is always difficult to identify reptiles from photos but given the location, the two colour phases and the small size (they were found under a rubber mat), I suspect they are Rosen’s Snakes (Suta fasciata). Grows to about 40 cm and is mildly venomous.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[scarry]

Week before last we saw a massive King brown,well over 2m long on a property near Dirranbandi.As soon as it saw us,it turned around & headed off into the long grass.
Browns are more common in the area but are smaller,only growing to around approx 1.6m.They generally do the same,head off,unless they have been cornered or stirred up be the stock.

As others have said,just leave them alone,more people are bitten trying to kill a snake than any other time.

[ugu80]

.there was a local family whether this story is true or not i dont know my nan thought it was because it was supposably some people she knew of. there was a at least 3 brothers in this family and one and they were out working on the farm and a snake came out and bit one of the brothers on the boot they soon after checked to see if it went through or had actually bitten his foot/leg they couldnt find anything but the next day they found him dead in his bed. a while after his death one of the other brothers got his dead brothers boots and started wearing them and a while after that he also suddenly died. then the 3rd brother wore the boots after his 2nd brother died and he become very ill and they rushed him to hospital.they found a fang in the boot somewhere from the 1st brother that got bitten. anyway thats the story. i am hoping they got rid of the boots

I can tell you whether it's true or not....absolute utter crap. But I do agree with you with small kids and dogs around. As for hating snakes, irrational instinctive reaction, they are extremely interesting creatures (although never employed as such, my uni degree was zoology).

[ugu80]

i love scaring tourists or foreigners about animals in Australia they are so gullible. i wonder if we are so gullible about other countries. or is that we just like **** stirring and taking the ****
I once had a US secret service agent convinced that fruit bats were dangerous carnivorous predators that would attack young children and had even killed babies in their prams. My only concern was the thought that he was armed and protecting the president.

[Landy Smurf]

lol. no offence to Americans and i am sure they are not all like this but in general they are the most gullible, i think one of the best ones is we ride around in kangaroos pouches

[Landy Smurf]

i have tried to find an interest in snakes but its not happening for me, even looking at a photo is bad enough.but when it comes to injuries or blood talking aout it or watching on tv is alot worse then actually seeing it

[ugu80]

Just something to consider: For venomous snakes, the primary use of venom is to catch food. Once used, it takes a week or more to fully replenish their poison glands for another strike, therefore, generally they are very judicious as to when to bite which is why striking is a last resort defence only after escape is blocked. I stress generally because the king brown has been recorded as one of the few aggressive snakes - if it's brown run away, quickly. Death adders get a bad rep but that's because of the unique way they hunt; they don't and won't move. They hide in leaf litter with just the thin end of their tail wriggling to look like a worm, small lizard or harmless snake. They will stay there like that for three weeks. When a bird or small predator comes near, they strike - in 3/100ths of a second. Unlike other snakes, when a human comes near, they won't move. If you step over them, they won't react and you will never know how close you came; if you accidentally step on them they will defensively strike so quickly that you will be bitten and injected three times before your nervous system can convey to your brain that something is happening down there. Tell me snakes aren't fascinating!

[1976_michelle]

Just something to consider: For venomous snakes, the primary use of venom is to catch food. Once used, it takes a week or more to fully replenish their poison glands for another strike, therefore, generally they are very judicious as to when to bite which is why striking is a last resort defence only after escape is blocked. I stress generally because the king brown has been recorded as one of the few aggressive snakes - if it's brown run away, quickly. Death adders get a bad rep but that's because of the unique way they hunt; they don't and won't move. They hide in leaf litter with just the thin end of their tail wriggling to look like a worm, small lizard or harmless snake. They will stay there like that for three weeks. When a bird or small predator comes near, they strike - in 3/100ths of a second. Unlike other snakes, when a human comes near, they won't move. If you step over them, they won't react and you will never know how close you came; if you accidentally step on them they will defensively strike so quickly that you will be bitten and injected three times before your nervous system can convey to your brain that something is happening down there. Tell me snakes aren't fascinating!
So what you're saying is send in an unloved inlaw to tackle them first, then when they're out of venom go in yourself and remove them safely

[Landy Smurf]

i actually didnt mind when steve irwin did his crocodile hunter shows and he found them, he was a crazy man.i suppose they would be interesting for a zoologist when compared to other animals. they just are not for me.i like my dogs, deer roos and that is about it

[bigcarle]

i am not a lover of snakes in close proximity, the further the better like on TV with Steve Irwin handling them is good.
i operate on the KISS principal with snakes
looking at the pic they are brown keep away... along way away!!!:o:(;)
pyhtons are the only ones i will get within cooee of, all others 40ft barge pole minimum:D

[Tombie]

Just something to consider: For venomous snakes, the primary use of venom is to catch food. Once used, it takes a week or more to fully replenish their poison glands for another strike, therefore, generally they are very judicious as to when to bite which is why striking is a last resort defence only after escape is blocked. I stress generally because the king brown has been recorded as one of the few aggressive snakes - if it's brown run away, quickly. Death adders get a bad rep but that's because of the unique way they hunt; they don't and won't move. They hide in leaf litter with just the thin end of their tail wriggling to look like a worm, small lizard or harmless snake. They will stay there like that for three weeks. When a bird or small predator comes near, they strike - in 3/100ths of a second. Unlike other snakes, when a human comes near, they won't move. If you step over them, they won't react and you will never know how close you came; if you accidentally step on them they will defensively strike so quickly that you will be bitten and injected three times before your nervous system can convey to your brain that something is happening down there. Tell me snakes aren't fascinating!

They are incredible creatures...

We have an area at the 'office' called 'Death Adder Valley' no prizes for guessing what is in the majority right there.

Occasionally we get them, or a Brown, making for the comfort of the office complex - even had one inside the ladies toilet block :eek:

I just go grab them and move them to a more suitable surrounding...

Nothing like the look on peoples faces when you pull up in the LV with a Bin on the seat and they ask "Whats in there?" ;)

[ugu80]

Many decades ago, in a past life, when cops only had a .38 with six bullets, the local paddy wagon went to job where a lady had red belly black in her back yard (her back fence bordered a national park). After a while they radioed for someone the bring down the station shotgun. "OMG" methinks. I go and find they had been chasing the poor snake around the back yard trying to shoot it (12 times, all misses) and were out of ammo. The snake had retreated to the laundry where, with the aid of a handy broom, I caught it and dropped it over the back fence.

Another snake story, arrested a low life with criminal record longer than ten arms. Got him for being disqualified. In the car was a diamond python (obviously had no license to keep snakes), so I charged him with not only keeping the snake illegally, but an endangered species. Everyone, my peers bosses and the prosecutors all said, "What did you do that for. Should of just left it at disqualified." Fine for disqualified - $750. Fine for the snake - $3000. Its also the only time my zoology credentials were ever useful. He pleaded not guilty to the snake possession. His brief asks the question, "What qualifications do you have to identify an endangered species?" Says I, "I was trained in zoology the ANU." "That'll do me." says the magistrate. Defence sits down. No further questions.

[Saitch]

Many decades ago, in a past life, when cops only had a .38 with six bullets, the local paddy wagon went to job where a lady had red belly black in her back yard (her back fence bordered a national park). After a while they radioed for someone the bring down the station shotgun. "OMG" methinks. I go and find they had been chasing the poor snake around the back yard trying to shoot it (12 times, all misses) and were out of ammo. The snake had retreated to the laundry where, with the aid of a handy broom, I caught it and dropped it over the back fence.

Another snake story, arrested a low life with criminal record longer than ten arms. Got him for being disqualified. In the car was a diamond python (obviously had no license to keep snakes), so I charged him with not only keeping the snake illegally, but an endangered species. Everyone, my peers bosses and the prosecutors all said, "What did you do that for. Should of just left it at disqualified." Fine for disqualified - $750. Fine for the snake - $3000. Its also the only time my zoology credentials were ever useful. He pleaded not guilty to the snake possession. His brief asks the question, "What qualifications do you have to identify an endangered species?" Says I, "I was trained in zoology the ANU." "That'll do me." says the magistrate. Defence sits down. No further questions.
Thanks mate, that made me LOL:D

[Hastykiwi]

Well done you. Personally my sphincter is at maximum pucker when I see a snake and as much as i reason it through, this never seems to change.:unsure:

[Disco44]

They are incredible creatures...

We have an area at the 'office' called 'Death Adder Valley' no prizes for guessing what is in the majority right there.

Occasionally we get them, or a Brown, making for the comfort of the office complex - even had one inside the ladies toilet block :eek:

I just go grab them and move them to a more suitable surrounding...

Nothing like the look on peoples faces when you pull up in the LV with a Bin on the seat and they ask "Whats in there?" ;)

Try grabbing a Taipan ,either the coastal or western(mulga) they are like greased lightning when stirred up.The eastern king brown is no slouch either.I'd rather be a live coward then a dead hero,either bolt or freeze and let them go on their merry way.

[ugu80]

Well done you. Personally my sphincter is at maximum pucker when I see a snake and as much as i reason it through, this never seems to change.:unsure:
Should have seen my partner turn and run (quicker than a death adder strike) when I grabbed the snake, held it up and said, "Hey, look what I got." Then there was the charge room staff (Taree, just to embarrass them) who all ran panicking from the room when I walked in, put the snake on the counter and said, "I want to book in some evidence." Ahh, good memories. My prisoners only comment, "I hope it bites the **** out of ya."
p.s. Beside the fine, he also got his parole revoked.

The python was turned over the NPWS and released in an isolated area.

[CraigE]

We would take the black headed pythons and release where we knew there were King Browns as the Black Headed Pythons eat little King Browns.

[Landy Smurf]

dont red belly blacks also eat browns

[zedcars]

I once had a US secret service agent convinced that fruit bats were dangerous carnivorous predators that would attack young children and had even killed babies in their prams. My only concern was the thought that he was armed and protecting the president.


Hey fellah's
I have just read through thread and not only found it interesting but bloody funny! I've just had a chuckle into my mug of PGTips tea!

But the above contribution needs a better comment--From up 'n over here!

The US Secret Service bloke came from Langley/Washington DC area most likely!
They don't have those types of snakes there, you need to come out west to find Rattlers and/or more south for Corals--But they do have another multi variety that inhabit Congress & the Senate, they blow a lot of hot air and when got together can cause a lot of trouble then a few auzzie snakes!:twisted:
Dennis
zedcars

[DirtyDawg]

dont red belly blacks also eat browns

Yes, red belly blacks are number 77 on the venom list for us but thrive on eating other Snakes.
I saw a "Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan "yesterday at Australia Zoo , cute little thing, hard to believe it is #1 on the bad boy venom stakes.
I will post a pic when I get the time to transfer from the Nikon,

[easo]

About 10 years ago while we were thundering across the plans of MT Bundy Training Area in our Leopard Tank in the NT. Our tank slowly rolled to a walking pace, as our crew commander was yelling at the driver to stop mucking around and get back in the battle run (using every choice word under the NT sun) the crew commander looked back to see the driver over 100m behind us. So he got the loader to climb over the turret and into the drivers position and halt/switch off the tank. As the commander was screaming at the driver walking up to the now halted Tank I was kicking back in the gunners seat looking at my feet when I noticed a 2 foot snake casually come out of the sub-turret floor, over my feet and back under the turret.

The driver actually had the snake poke his head up between his legs as he was driving, he packed it in and bailed out over the side of the vehicle at about 40kph.

That snake lived in the tank hull for about 3 more week because we couldn't get him out. He showed up from time to time. We think he may have got in through the hull drain valves.

I'll never know, Easo

[Chucaro]

Why the "macho man" crew commander did not removed the snake instead of yelling at the driver? :angel::p

[JamesH]

The snake that came into our campsite on the Wickham in Gregory Nat Park NT was a king brown or so we thought. It was brown and king scary.

It did not have a tail like those snakes, it was 1.8 m long but had a stubby tail, like a death adder's but the snake was much longer. Any ideas?

Apologies to snake lovers but we took the head off it. We have more faith in our irrational instincts than some experts. It was sleepy (July, if that's significant).

[bussy1963]

Geez that was a stupid statement to make about taken the head off a snake.

Watch all the hairy chested do gooders beat the chest about that statement. :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:wasntme:

[JamesH]

Geez that was a stupid statement to make about taken the head off a snake.

Watch all the hairy chested do gooders beat the chest about that statement. :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:wasntme:
Well sitting here in a flat in Mt Lawley, I reckon they have a point, hence the apology. At the time, I was a three hour drive through the park from Mt Sanford homestead to wait for the RFDS. It came into camp, it died. It was unanimous.

I'm interested to know what it may have been when it had its head. If it turns out to probably been a python, I reckon another apology might be in order. That tail made it look really poisonous.

[bussy1963]

Snakes are protected.

Anybody that has experience in the bush knows just remain calm. stay still become a statue or tree and let the snake go about its business.

Snakes will strike at movement when there provoked or hungry. Most snakes can only see different shades of grey.

To this day after 49 years living and working in the bush. I haven't seen a snake bite or try and eat a funny smelling tree or statue.