Sunshine Coast Snake Identification
The Sunshine Coast region, like many other places in Queensland, is renowned for its snake population. There are many different species of snake on the Sunshine Coast, not to many all the sub-species, and many homeowners – and even business owners – have come across these slippery reptiles on their premises, in places they are not expected to be. Considering the variety of venomous snake species on the Sunshine Coast, it can be highly beneficial to be informed about the various snakes you may encounter.
Identifying a snake is no easy task, even for avid snake enthusiasts. When meeting a snake, they will likely try to flee or hide, which can make successfully identifying it difficult. In some cases, certain snakes can become defensive, rearing up or flattening out their body as they face off a would-be threat. This can also make identifying a snake tricky.
If you should come across a snake in your garden, at home, or within your workplace, it’s always best to call in trained professionals like Snake Rescue Sunny Coast. Our experience and training give us the right tools to not only accurately identify the snake, but also safely remove it from your property and relocate it to the wild. Never approach a snake you don’t recognise as there are many species of snake on the Sunshine Coast that are poisonous, but that can be confused for other, similar-looking non-venomous snakes in the area.
Common Snakes on the Sunshine Coast
Green Tree snake
(Dendrelaphis punctulata)
Non-Venomous
Common tree snakes have moderately large eyes with an elongated head. They have a long, slender body with scales varying in color from brown to green, to sky blue. The scales often have white or blue speckles. Belly scales are usually cream to yellow but can also be a light blue. They can grow up to 1 – 2m in length.
Carpet python
(Morelia spilota mcdowelli)
Non-Venomous
These large, thick snakes can grow to over 3 metres in length and weigh up to 10kg. They have a large head covered in small fragmented scales. There are defined heat pits on the lower jaw with less defined pits on their upper lip and snout. Their colour can vary greatly, though they mostly look carpet-coloured.
Red-Bellied Black Snake
(Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Warning - Highly Venomous
Red-bellied black snakes are moderately built and can grow to an average length 1.5 to 2 meters. Blackheaded, often with a brown snout,a nd barely larger than its neck. There are glossy jet-black scales on its back with vibrant red to pink coloration running down its flanks. Belly scales are red to pink with black bands.
Common Death adder
(Acanthophis antarcticus)
Warning - Highly Venomous
Death adders are very stocky with a triangular-shaped head, growing to an average of 40-100cm in length. coloration depends on the areas where they are found.
Being an ambush predator, they rely heavily on ground coverage for camouflage, inhabiting areas like forests and grasslands with a lot of leaf little or loose soil is ideal.
Keelback snake (Fresh water snake)
(Tropidonophis mairii)
Non-Venomous
These are small, freshwater snakes that grows to average lengths of 60 -75 cm. Their colors range from any shade of gray, brown, and olive, with dark bands across the back. Belly scales are normally a cream to light salmon-pink. The most defining feature is keeled scales that cover most of the body, which makes it rough to the touch.
Eastern Brown Snake
(Pseudonaja textilis)
Warning - Highly Venomous
Eastern brown snakes are of a slender to moderate build and can grow to lengths of 1.5 to 2 meters.
This species varies with coloration and patterns, from almost any shade of brown to almost black with belly scales typically being light tan to orange with pink or orange spots.
Brown Tree snake
(Boiga irregularis)
Mildly Venomous
Brown tree snakes can grow to around 2 meters in length. They have a long, slender body with a large bulbous head, distinct from its narrow neck.
They have large yellow to brown eyes with vertical pupils. Brown to reddish in color with dark bands. Belly scales are cream to salmon color.
Yellow faced whip snake
(Demansia psammophis)
Mildly Venomous
Yellow-faced whip snakes are a small thin snake that only grows to an average length of 80cm – 1 meter. scales can vary from olive to brown, with copper coloration along the top half of the body. The scales around the eyes are usually yellow with a black comma shape that runs to the corner of the mouth. Across the snout, there is a black bar that runs from nostril to nostril.