Stephens' Banded Snake
Hoplocephalus stephensii

Length:

to 75cm

Identification:

back usually strongly banded white-grey; specimens from Kroombit Tops, Warwick and Stanthorpe areas (southeastern Qld) are often plain black; lips barred, even on otherwise colourless specimens; belly grey.

Scale Counts:

midbody scale rows 21; ventrals 220-250; anal single; subcaudals single 50-70.

Habitat:

rainforests, moist forests, heaths and vine thickets.

Distribution:

southeastern Qld and northeastern NSW; old Brisbane records, Enoggera and Mitchelton; frequently seen on North Stradbroke Is.

Status:

rare or insufficently known.

Habits:

adept climber; sheltering beneath loose bark in tree hollows and (rarely) in rafters.

Breeding:

live-bearer (up to 6 young); average snout-vent length of new-borns 20cm.

Main Prey:

frogs, reptiles and mammals.

Venom:

strongly coagulant.

Notes:

potentially dangerous; bite may produce severe local symptoms; apply first aid and seek urgent medical attention for all suspected bites. Pugnacious if provoked.

Similar Species:

Bandy Bandy (Vermicella annulata), which has narrow head, is more markedly black and white banded, with bands totally encircling body.