White-lipped snake | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Drysdalia Worrell, 1961 |
Species: | D. coronoides |
Binomial name | |
Drysdalia coronoides Günther, 1858 |
The White-lipped Snake (Drysdalia coronoides) is a small species of elapid snake that is restricted to south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. It is the smallest of 3 species of snake found in Tasmania and is Australia's most cold tolerant snake, even inhabiting areas on Mount Kosciuszko above the snow line. Growing to only about 40 cm in length, this snake feeds almost exclusively on skinks. They belong to the genus Drysdalia, and are often referred to as whip snakes in Tasmania ( true whip snakes from Australia are in the genus Demansia and are only found on the mainland ) . This species gets its name from a thin, white line bordered above by a narrow black line that runs along the upper lip.[1]