Colours
Distinguishing features
It is glossy black on the dorsal surface and red, crimson or pink in colour on the lower sides and belly. The snout is often a lighter brown colour.
Like all Elapid snakes it is front fanged. It has 17 mid-body scale rows.
Juveniles are similar to Cryptophis nigrescens, with which it can be easily confused. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 250 cm and averaging 140 cm (Length of specimen)
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
Eastern Small-eyed Snake (species: Cryptophis nigrescens)
Pseudechis porphyriacus is more robust and has larger head and eyes, and obvious red on lower flanks. (Queensland Museum)
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is native to the east coast of Australia. It can be found in the urban forest, woodland, plains and bushland areas of the Blue Mountains, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and Adelaide.
It is most commonly seen close to dams, streams, billabongs and other bodies of water. (Wikipedia)
Diet
Its diet primarily consists of frogs, but it also preys on reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes, including those of their own species. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
Danger
- rarely fatal - It has a venomous bite. Bites from red-bellied black snake are rarely life-threatening because the snake usually chooses to inject little venom. Bites do still need immediate medical attention. (Wikipedia)