Pseudechis australis

Danger: Dangerously venomous

Other Names: Mulga Snake

Size: 2 to 2.5 metres

Family: Elapidae (Elapid snakes, about 60 species in Australia, about 300 species in the world)

Distribution: Most of Australia except the coastal South and Southeast regions, absent for hundreds of kilometres from the southeast coastline. Absent from all of TAS and VIC and about 2/3 of NSW.

Status: Widespread

Habitat: Virtually all subhumid to arid habitats within its range. Shelters in abandoned burrows, soil cracks, hollow logs, etc.

References: Wilson and Swan.

About the King Brown Snake

A friend in Queensland once had one of these fall down through a gap in the ceiling tiles. They have a repuation for being aggressive, though their venom is not one of the most toxic in the world, they are pretty dangerous. The plaque at Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary says they're the 19th most venomous snake in the world. And that they often chase humans when disturbed.

Diet: King Brown Snakes (Mulga Snakes) eat things like small mammals, frogs, and other reptiles.

Breeding: The female lays up to 12 eggs in summer, and incubates them.The eggs can take up to 70 days to hatch.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. Higher Resolution 2727 x 2000.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. Higher Resolution 1772 x 1823.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. Higher Resolution 3008 x 2000.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. Higher Resolution 1683 x 2524.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. Higher Resolution 3008 x 2000.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW.

Distribution of King Brown Snake: Image by taipan198 at Wikipedia.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

Return to Australian Reptiles