Tiger snake
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Notechis scutatus |
The tiger snakes are two species of highly venomous snake found in Australia. Together they form the notechis genus of the Elapidae family.
Table of contents |
Taxonomy
There are two species and five recognised sub-species:
- N. scutatus – Common Tiger Snake or Eastern Tiger Snake
- N. ater
- N. a. ater – Krefft's Tiger Snake
- N. a. niger – Penisula Tiger Snake
- N. a. occidentalis – Western Tiger Snake
- N. a. serventyi – Chappell Island Tiger Snake
- N. a. humphreysi – Tasmanian Tiger Snake or King Island Tiger Snake
Population and distribution
Members of the genus are found in southern Australia, Tasmania, islands in the Bass Strait and on New Guinea.
Physical description
The Common Tiger Snake is typically banded, dark brown above with a yellow to oliver belly. N. ater subspecies found away from mainland Australia are usually uniformly black. Tiger snakes give live birth to around 50 young at a time.
Venom
All species of tiger snake have a very potent neurotoxic venom, and this combined with its aggressive nature when intruded upon, makes the genus highly dangerous. Specific antivenoms are available for the treatment of tiger snake bites.