Pseudechis australis
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| Pseudechis australis |
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 Range of King Brown (in red)
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The King Brown Snake or Mulga Snake is one of the most venomous snakes in Australia and the world. It is the second largest venomous snake in Australia (after the Taipan) and produces large amounts of toxic venom. Although the name implies it is a brown snake, it is in fact part of the black snake genus.
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[edit] Appearance
Mulga snakes are large venomous snakes growing from 2.5 metres to 3 metres in length. Depending on its areal extent, Mulga snakes can be of a light brown colour in the desert to a dark brown-blackish colour in the cooler regions of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. Mulga snakes are robust with a wide head and smooth snout.
[edit] Range
Mulga snakes occur over much of Australia. It is found in every state of Australia except for Victoria and Tasmania. Its range includes all of the Northern Territory, most parts of Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. It may also be found in the western parts of the Australian Capital Territory.
[edit] Habitat
Mulga snakes inhabit woodlands, hummock grassland, chenopod scrubland and almost bare gibber or sandy deserts sheltering under timber, rubbish piles, burrows and deep soil cracks. They are not found in rainforests.
[edit] Diet
The Mulga snake is known to eat primarily reptiles, earning the title 'reptile eater'. It eats other snakes (including venomous species), lizards, birds, mammals and frogs. It is well adapted to eating other venomous snakes, with most venom having no or subtle effects. With giant venom glands, Mulga snakes will bite and hold their prey using a chewing action to pump enough venom to slow up even the most deadly adversary.
[edit] Venom
Although being a potentially venomous snake, its venom is not particularly toxic but it is produced in huge quantities. The average Tiger Snake produces around 10-20mg when milked. In comparison, a good sized King Brown may deliver over 150mg in one bite.[1]
[edit] Deaths
Although it is not the most venomous snake in Australia, the mulga is deadliest snake in Australia; killing the most people bitten by snakes every year. The reasons for this include its common sightings in Australia and the wrong anti-venom being used (See Anti-Venom for reasons).
[edit] Anti-Venom
The King Brown is not a true Brown Snake as its name might suggest. Instead it belongs to the Black Snake genus. For this reason, its name is commonly referred to as Mulga Snake. When victims of mulga snakes are bitten and treated, many describe the culprit as an Eastern Brown Snake (Brown Snake genus) instead of a Mulga snake (Black Snake genus). For this reason, many people died because Brown Snake Anti-Venom was used instead of Black Snake Anti-Venom.
[edit] Reproduction
Female Mulga snakes produce a clutch of around 8-20 eggs, which may be laid in a disused burrow or beneath a log or rock. There is no maternal care for the eggs once they have been laid. Incubation lasts for about 2-3 months after which time the new born baby must care for itself.
