Tiger snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tiger snake | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Notechis sp.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Tiger snakes are a type of venomous serpent found in southern regions of Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania. These snakes are highly variable in their colour, often banded like those on a tiger, and forms in their regional occurrences. All populations are in the genus Notechis, and their diverse characters have been described in further subdivisions of this group.
Contents |
[edit] Description
A genus of large venomous snake in the family Elapidae restricted to subtropical regions of Australia. Tiger snakes are a large group of distinct populations, which may be isolated or overlappining, with extreme variance in size and colour. Individuals also show seasonal variation in colour. The total length may be up to 1.45 metres, 1.2 from snout to vent. The patterning is darker bands, strongly contrasting or indistinct, which are pale to very dark in colour. Coloration is composed of olive, yellow, orange-brown, or jet-black, the underside of the snake is lighter and yellow or orange. The tiger snake uses venom to dispatch their prey, and may bite an aggressor; they are potentially fatal to humans. Tolerant of low temperatures, the snake may be active on warmer nights.[3]
Tiger snakes give birth to between 12 to 40 live young, an exceptional record was made of 64 from an eastern female.[3]
Tiger snakes are not generally aggressive, and will flee whenever possible. When threatened they will flatten the body and raise the head above the ground in a classic pre-strike stance. It is known for its multiple bluff strikes and loud hisses.
The widely dispersed populations show some conformity in their descriptions, but these characters may be shared by separate or adjacent groups. Tiger snakes are also identified by the region or island in which the forms occur, which is prefixed to a common name.
The Common tiger snake has a flat blunt head, slightly distinct from a robust body. Body capable of being flattened along entire length when snake is agitated or basking. Average length 0.9 m, maximum length 1.2 m but has been recorded at 2.0 m (or ~6.6 ft). Highly variable in colour, with base colours of brown, grey olive, green with lighter crossbands usually of creamy yellow. Occasionally unbanded specimens are found. Scales appear like overlapping shields, especially around the neck. Ventrals number 140 to 190, subcaudals 35 to 65, mid-body in 17 or 19 rows and the anal scale is single.
The Western tiger snake has a head that is distinct from its robust body, and grows to 2.0 m in length. Dorsally, steel-blue to black with bright yellow bands; unbanded specimens occur. The ventral surface is yellow, tending black towards the tail. Midbody scales are in 17 or 19 rows, ventrals number 140 to 165, subcaudals 36 to 51 (single) and the anal scale is single (rarely divided).
The Chappell Island tiger snake has a blunt head distinct from a robust body. The giant of the tiger snakes species, averaging 1.9 m (over 6 feet) in length. Dorsally, olive-brown to almost black, sometimes with lighter crossbands. The ventral surface is usually lighter in colour. Juveniles are banded. Mid-body scales are in 17 rows; ventrals number 160 to 171, subcaudals 47 to 52 (single), and the anal scale is single.
The King Island and Tasmanian tiger snakes each have a blunt head distinct from a robust body. Younger snakes may be slimmer and similar to other tiger snakes, eventually growing up to 1.5 m in length. Dorsally, may be jet black, jet black with lighter crossbands, grey with black flecks forming faint bands or an unbanded grey or brown. The ventral surface is usually a lighter colour. Midbody scales are in 19, 17 or someimes 15 rows, ventrals number 161 to 174, subcaudals 48 to 52 (single) and the anal scale is single.
The Peninsula tiger snake has a blunt head distinct from a robust body. Averages 1.1 m in length. Roxby Island specimens are much smaller, averaging 0.86 m in length. Dorsally, generally jet black, sometimes with white or cream markings around the lips and chin. On Kangaroo Island, specimens are highly variable in colour, often exibiting banding and uniform brown colours. The ventral surface is dark grey to black, with some specimens on Kangaroo Island even possessing red bellies. The ventral surface becomes much lighter prior to shedding. Juveniles nearly always have banding. Mid-body scales are in 17, 18, 19 and rarely 21 rows, ventrals number 160 to 184, subcaudals 45 to 54 (single) and the anal scale is single.
The subspecies Notechis ater ater, found away from mainland Australia, is typically uniformly black.
As with most snakes, the colours vary widely between individuals and are an unreliable means of identifying subspecies. Accurate identification is best performed with a venom test kit or scale count.
[edit] Habitat
Tiger snakes are found in coastal environments, wetlands, and creeks where they often form territories. Areas with an abundance of prey, such as frogs, can support large populations. The species' distribution extends from the south of Western Australia through to South Australia, Tasmania, up through Victoria, and New South Wales. Its common habitat includes the coastal areas of Australia.
[edit] Taxonomy
The genus Notechis is placed in the family of elapid snakes. There are two widely recognized species of this genus, Notechis scutatus (Peters, 1861) and Notechis ater (Krefft, 1866), which show further variety in their characteristics.[1] Several authors have published revisions or described subspecies of these species.[4] Others consider the names contained by this taxonomic arrangement to be unwarranted, and describe Notechis as a monotypic genus.[3] Various authorities accept some or all the systematics previously applied, most agree that a revision of the genus is needed.[4] Names for these subdivision include the Western types, appended to both species names as occidentalis (Glauert 1948) The island groups have also been described as subspecies: Chappell Island tiger snake as N. ater serventyi (Warrell, 1963), King Island and Tasmanian tiger snakes subspecies N. ater humphreysi, (Warrell, 1963) and the Peninsula tiger snake N. ater niger( Kinghorn 1921).
[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) |
* Not including the nominate subspecies (typical form).
sea food
[edit] Venom
Tiger snakes possess a potent neurotoxin (Notexin), coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins, and rank amongst the deadliest snakes in the world. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in their foot and neck region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. While antivenom is effective, mortality rates approach 45% if not treated.
Treatment is the same for all deadly Australian snakes. The Pressure Immobilization Method (PIM) is used to inhibit the flow of venom through the lymphatic system. Broad bandages are applied over the bite, then down and back along the limb to the armpit or groin. The affected limb is then immobilized with a splint. Identification of the venom is possible if traces are left near the wound. The availability of antivenom has greatly reduced the incidence of fatal tiger snake bites, the number of deaths is now exceeded by the Brown snake. [5]space tiger snakes
[edit] Conservation
In most states they are protected species, and to kill or injure one attracts a fine of up to $4000. In some states, you may get a jail sentence. Citation needed.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Notechis (TSN 700234). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 23 March 2008.
- ^ Species Notechis scutatus at The Reptile Database
- ^ a b c Browne-Cooper, R., Bush, B., Maryan, B., Robinson, D. (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press, 254, 255. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6.
- ^ a b Genus Notechis at The Reptile Database
- ^ Chris Thompson; Dr. Struan K. Sutherland (Nov, 2003). Australian Snake Bites. Envenomation in Australia. University of Sydney. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
[edit] External links
- Information on bites from survivaliq.com
- Information on the genus from snakeshow.net
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Notechis
