Rough-scaled snake

The rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinatus) is a highly venomous Australian elapid. The animal's name comes from its scales that are raised above the surrounding scales and have rough texture. The scales are known as "keels".

Rough-scaled snake
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Tropidechis
Species:
T. carinatus
Binomial name
Tropidechis carinatus
(Krefft, 1863)

Taxonomy

A 2016 genetic analysis showed that the closest relative of the rough-scaled snake is the tiger snake (Notechis spp.).[1]

Description

The snake is brown to olive with narrow, irregular cross-bands or blotches of darker brown. The belly surfaces are greenish-grey or olive-cream, often with darker blotches. The mid-body scales have a raised keel or carinated appearance. The coloration and scale structure has led to some confusion with the non venomous keelback snake. It grows to around 70 cm in length.

Habitat

The snake's habitat includes rainforests, moist open air forests and waterways.[2] It is found from mid-eastern New South Wales to the tip of far-north Queensland.

Behaviour

The snake is active both day and night. It can climb trees in pursuit of prey. The rough-scaled snake is highly venomous and will readily bite if attacked or handled.

Diet

Variety of small vertebrates; frogs, lizards, small mammals, birds. Generally forages at ground level but can climb to take prey.[3]

Venom

The rough-scaled snake is a highly venomous snake. Its venom is a fast acting powerful neurotoxin that is both presynaptic and post-synaptic. It has potent post-synaptic neurotoxins as well as potent pre-synaptic neurotoxins. It also has potent coagulants as well as myotoxins. It will readily bite and is known for its foul disposition and defensive nature. Several fatalities have occurred due to this species and it will strike rapidly in defense.

Reference list
  1. Figueroa, A.; McKelvy, A. D.; Grismer, L. L.; Bell, C. D.; Lailvaux, S. P. (2016). "A species-level phylogeny of extant snakes with description of a new colubrid subfamily and genus". PLoS ONE. 11: e0161070. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161070. PMC 5014348. PMID 27603205.
  2. Museum, QLD (2000). Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland. Queensland Museum. pp. 247–248. ISBN 0-7242-9349-3.
  3. "Wildlife Qld". Wildlife QLD Rough-Scaled Snake. snakecatchers.com.au. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
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