Gwardar
The back of the Northern brown snake can feature shades of orange-brown with flecks and bands, or appear plain. Its belly is cream to orange with pink blotches. Some individuals have jet-black heads (this can cause it to be confused with the black-headed python), while others feature a black 'V' shape on the back of their neck, below their head.
Northern brown snakes are widely distributed across the north of the Australian continent, including the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. They prefer drier habitats but are also found in coastal eucalypt forests, woodlands, and grasslands. These snakes also hide in crevices and under rocks, and in urban areas can be found under rubbish or in piles.
Northern brown snakes are ground-dwelling creatures but it is not uncommon for them to climb small shrubs or trees. They are known to be very aggressive when disturbed or threatened, but like most snakes, usually prefer to retreat from danger. During warmer months Northern brown snakes may be nocturnal, but are otherwise active during the day and enjoy sunlight. These snakes kill their prey with a combination of venom and constriction.
Although the Northern brown snake's venom is not the most toxic in the brown snake genus, its average delivery contains a relatively high quantity of venom; thus the Northern brown snake has a high potential to deliver a deadly bite. Its venom contains neurotoxins, nephrotoxins, and a procoagulant, although humans are not usually affected by the neurotoxins. The bite is usually painless and difficult to see due to their small fangs. Human symptoms of a northern brown snake bite are headache, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, severe coagulopathy, and sometimes kidney damage. In dogs and cats, paralysis is also likely to occur.
Northern brown snakes are carnivores. They feed on small mammals and reptiles, including lizards and mice.
These snakes are oviparous and breed from September to November. Females usually lay around 11-14 eggs but may produce up to 38.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Northern brown snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
