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REPTILE FACTS |
Description
The Death Adder is one of Australia's most venomous snakes. It has a short thick body and arrow shaped head. They burrow in leaf litter waiting for passing prey. It is aggressive if cornered or harassed. The main danger is treading on it or disturbing it while walking in bushland.
Size
It grows to 1m long but is usually less.
Habitat
Open woodland, scrub and heathland areas. It prefers undisturbed habitat.
Food
Small mammals, birds and frogs. The snake lies still for long periods waiting for prey. On approach of potential prey, the snake wiggles its tail, mimicking a worm or caterpillar. When prey is within range, it strikes at great speed.
It relies on its camouflage to remain undetected. Because of this, it is a danger to humans as it doesn't get out of the way when approached like most other snakes.
Breeding
livebearer with litter of 10-20 in late summer, although can be as much as 30.
Range
The Death Adder is found throughout much of eastern and coastal southern Australia
Credits:
Map is from Atlas of Living Australia website at https://biocache.ala.org.au licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Classification
| Class: | Reptilia | | Order: | Squamata (Serpentes) | | Family: | Elapidae | | Genus: | Acanthophis | | Species: | antarcticus | | Common Name: | Southern Death Adder |
Relatives in same Genus
Northern Death Adder (A. praelongus)
Desert Death Adder (A. pyrrhus)
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