Northern Death Adders (Acanthophis praelongus)

The northern death adder is grey to brownish-red in colour and similar in appearance to the southern death adder, but with a lighter build. They are found in both wet and dry eucalypt scrub across northern Australia. They are ambush predators, concealing themselves in leaves, sand or gravel and twitching the narrow, worm-like lure at the ends of their tails to attract prey. Prey consists of frogs, birds, lizards, mice and rats. Death adders are sedentary and have a reputation for not striking until they are actually touched. Active mainly at night, they are often trodden on by unwary walkers.