The Distribution of Copperheads in Australia

The copperhead snake is limited to Victoria, Tasmania, the highlands of New South Wales and the southern parts of South Australia. It is the only venomous snake found above the snow line and may be active in weather generally considered too cold for snakes. Three copperhead species are found in Australia: the common or lowland (A. superbus), the highland (A. ramsayi) and the pygmy (A. labialis). Copperheads hunt during the day, except on hot days, when they become active at night. They are attracted to swamps, rivers and creeks where they hunt for frogs, reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes, including their own young.