Papuan Whip Snake
Demansia papuensis

Length:

to 1.5m

Identification:

head tan, with small dark spots; back uniform light to dark brown, or black; belly usually dark.

Scale Counts:

midbody scale rows 15; ventrals 198-228, anal divided, subcaudals divided 78-107.

Habitat:

open forests and woodlands.

Distribution:

far northeastern WA, northern NT and northern Qld, from tip of Cape York Peninsula to Clermont area.

Status:

common

Habits:

active by day.

Breeding:

egg-layer (up to 20).

Main Prey:

probably frogs and skinks.

Venom:

not known, probably neurotoxic

Notes:

potentially dangerous; apply first aid and seek urgent medical attention for all suspected bites; case reports rare; probably not capable of causing fatalities.

Similar Species:

Black Whip Snake (Demansia vestigiata), which usually has pink to red shading under tail and fewer ventral scales (165-197). Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) which is readily distinguished by greater midbody scale count (21-23).