Notes on the Broad-Headed Snake (Hoplocephalus Bungaroides)

The Broad headed snake is found in a small area around the outskirts of Sydney and the neighbouring mountains. As the name suggests its head is broad, like that of a python. It is often confused with the similar looking diamond python. The head is marked with yellow and the body is usually black with narrow bands of yellow. Litters of 8 to 20 are born live. The snake is active at night, when it hunts for lizards, mice frogs and birds. Its usual habitat is dry and rocky. Broad headed snakes may become agitated when disturbed, and strike rapidly. Its venom contains neurotoxins and procoagulants (although the former doesn’t seem to be of great clinical significance) and may cause serious illness. As yet, no fatalities have been ascribed to this snake. Tiger snake antivenom may be used to treat envenomation.