Blind (Ramphotyphlops nigresens) Local - Not Dangerous - There are 27 of snakes native to Victoria, seven of which have been recorded on the Strathbogie Tableland. All snakes are protected wildlife under the law and most snakes on the SNAKES tableland are venomous and dangerous. In natural areas they are best left alone; do not attempt to catch or kill them; it’s both illegal and dangerous. Snakes less than 30 cm long are of minimal danger to humans, as long as they aren't handled or pursued. ** Description: A small, worm-like, burrowing snake. That Look Like Snakes Purplish pink-brown to nearly black above, cream or There are several species of that have adopted pink below. The eyes are small black dots under the a life of wriggling through leaf-litter and grass; some scales of the head. The mouth is small, sitting below have also become burrowers in the soil. These the tip of the snout. The body is uniform in thickness lizards have adapted to this lifestyle by reducing the along its length and the tail ends in a short, conical size of their forelimbs and/or hindlimbs, having fewer spine. toes, or losing their front and hind limbs completely. Size: Up to 55 cm long. Consequently they could be mistaken for Diet: Ants and termites. small snakes. Such lizards would rarely be more than Distribution: Rarely found; several records from the 30 cm long, so could only be mistaken for very small Tableland. Blind Snakes spend much of their time snakes, which are of little threat to humans. underground and come to the surface mainly at night. First Aid for a Snake Bite 1. Place an elastic bandage (or equivalent) over the White-lipped Snake (Drysdalia coronoides) site of the bite and wrap tightly around the limb for its - Not Dangerous - entire length. If the bite is not on a limb, ensure continued direct pressure over the site of the bite. 2. Immobilize the limb, preferably in a splint. 3. Keep the victim quiet and immobile and transport to a hospital for medical attention. 4. Do not remove bandage or splint prior to medical attention. A Guide to the Snakes of the Species diversity information from Victorian Wildlife Atlas ** (DSE) and local knowledge. General species information Description: A conspicuous white stripe along the from Coventry & Robertson (1991) ‘The Snakes of Victo- Strathbogie Tableland upper lips. The back colour is variable from brick-red, ria’, Dept. of Conservation & Environment (out of print). through to olive green or dark grey. The belly is Collation & Layout: B. Lobert. Design & Finish: Jacqui Hagen ~ [email protected] usually a salmon pink colour. Photos marked with ** by B. Lobert. Size: Up to 50 cm long. All other photographs by Peter Robertson /Wildlife : Prefers areas of heavy cover, usually Profiles Ltd. encountered basking. Cover illustration by James Sowerby, and Botany Diet: Small lizards and occasionally . of New Holland (1794) Distribution: Occurs throughout the forested areas Cover design by Jacqui Hagen. Produced by the Strathbogie Tableland Landcare Group of southern Victoria. Published Jan 2011.

Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) Highland Copperhead (Austrelaps ramsii) Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) - Extremely Dangerous - - Extremely Dangerous - - Extremely Dangerous -

** ** Description: Colour varies from uniform light brown Description: Adults usually uniform brown in colour, Description: Pale brown to almost black and can be to black; most common colour is alternate light and although juveniles display black heads and mistaken for either Eastern Brown, or Red-bellied dark banding. occasionally numerous cross-bands. Black Snake. Distinguished from either by pale- Size: Up to 1.5 m, more usually less than 1 m long. Size: A slender snake. Large specimens may reach edging to the lip scales. Diet: Mainly frogs, but a variety of small vertebrates are taken. May be encountered climbing trees to take 2m in length, more usually up to 1 to 1.5m long. Size: A heavily-built snake that can grow to 1.5 m. young birds. Diet: A wide variety of vertebrates (lizards, frogs, Diet: Small vertebrates (mainly skinks & frogs), Distribution: Widespread in Victoria. No confirmed birds, mammals), up to the size of rats and including other snakes. records of this species on the Tableland, though Blue-tongue Lizards. Distribution: Common at higher altitudes in the east some farmers report having seen them. Tiger snakes Distribution: Widespread over most of Victoria and of the State. Widespread and common on the Table- are known to occur in surrounding areas, e.g. Euroa, common on the Tableland. land. Merton, Seymour, Benalla.

Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigresens) Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) Little Whip Snake (Rhinoplocephalus flagellum) - Dangerous - - Dangerous - - Dangerous -

** ** Description: Light tan, to brown above; scale colour Description: A secretive and nocturnal snake. gives the body a reticulated appearance. Top of head Uniform black, or dark grey on the head, back and black, except for a light bar in front of eyes. Belly sides, with a silvery white opalescent belly. As its Description: A glossy blue-black snake, usually with creamish white, to brown. Although small, it is name suggests, the eyes are very small. Although pink scales on the lower sides of the body. No white venomous and regarded as dangerous. small, it is venomous and regarded as colour on the head scales. Size: Up to 50 cm long. Size: Large specimens may reach 2 m in length, Diet: Small lizards and insects. dangerous. but more usually up to 1 to 1.2 m long. Size: Up to 50 cm long. Diet: Primarily frogs. Distribution: A small, secretive, nocturnal snake. Diet: Mainly skinks. Distribution: Widespread and common in eastern Several records from the northern part of the Table- Distribution: Widespread in the warm, dry forests of Victoria. Patchy distribution on the Tableland. land, near Marraweeny & Kelvin View and one record southern and eastern Victoria. Isolated records from Generally found in damp areas, near streams and from Galls Gap. the Tableland. swamps.