Western Taipan
Oxyuranus microlepidotus

Length:

to 2m

Identification:

back pale to very dark brown, often with dark flecks which may form distinct bands posteriorly; head glossy black (which sometimes fades in captivity); belly (behind the black neck region) mustard yellow, may be flecked with orange.

Scale Counts:

midbody scale rows 23 (rarely 25); ventrals 211-224; anal single; subcaudals divided 54-66.

Habitat:

'ashy downs' in Cooper Creek, Diamantina and Georgina River drainage systems of Qld and SA; Coober Pedy area, SA.

Distribution:

between Boulia and Hamilton (western Qld) and Goyder's Lagoon (SA); old records Bourke (NSW) and, possibly, junction of Murray and Darling Rivers; an apparently isolated population near Coober Pedy (SA).

Status:

common on ashy downs

Habits:

active by day; shelters in deep soil cracks.

Breeding:

egg-layer (9-20); 66 day incubation period; average snout-vent length of hatchlings 40cm.

Main Prey:

exclusively mammals, especially Long-haired Rat (Rattus villosissimus); also House Mouse (Mus musculus) and Kultarr (Antechinomys laniger).

Venom:

strongly neurotoxic; the most toxic land snake venom known (about 3 times as toxic as that of the Coastal Taipan, Oxyuranus scutellatus).

Notes:

potentially dangerous; apply first aid and seek urgent medical attention for all suspected bites; responsible for severe envenomations, but human fatalities not recorded.

Similar Species:

black headed 'form' of Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis), which is slimmer and has different scale arrangement and counts.