Notechis

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Notechis

Tiger snake, Notechis sp.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Notechis Boulenger, 1896

Notechis is a genus of highly venomous elapid snakes found in Australia. They are commonly known as tiger snakes. There are two species.

[edit] Description

The Common Tiger Snake is typically banded, dark brown above with a yellow to olive belly. N. ater subspecies found away from mainland Australia are usually uniformly black. However, as with most snakes, the colours vary widely between individuals and are an unreliable means of identifying species. Tiger snakes give live birth to around 30 young at a time. The Tasmanian tiger snake has two fangs in the top corners of upper jaw

The Tasmanian tiger snake has been shown be the same species as that which occurs on the south-eastern Australian mainland, Notechis scutatus. The markings are extremely variable and should not be used in isolation to identify snakes. Colors: jet black, yellow/orange with grey bands and sandy grey with no bands. There are also unconfirmed reports of a red bellied tiger snake in north-east Tasmania. While they are commonly found in these areas, their numbers are diminishing. In most states they are protected species and to kill or injure one attracts a fine of up to $4000.

They can be very aggressive, advancing upon humans if confronted with significant speed. They are often found along inland waterways and around the lower lakes of the River Murray (eg: Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert and along the Coorong).

[edit] Species

Species	Authority	Subsp.*	Common name	Geographic range
N. ater	Krefft, 1866	3	Black tiger snake	Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania)
N. scutatus	Peters, 1861	1	Mainland tiger snake	Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia)