I was just outside, hiding in the bushes, (as I always do ), when I heard birds making a lot of warning calls. The way they were calling, to me said: SNAKE. First things first, the dogs inside! Then I saw it. Now, is this a Redbellied Black Snake? Even if the red is not that pronounced? Plese tell me, if you know. How old do snakes get? He/she was in the same spot my Heeler got bitten some years back, and one hissed at me last week.
Sorry, was too late to correct, I wanted to say: the birds SAVED the dogs
M-L
looks more like an Eastern Brown Snake a much more unsavory (and agressive) customer. Not that proximity to black snakes is fun either. Learning to read the wildlife tells a lot about your environment. Birds frogs and lizards offer signals, of the presence of a snake.
As a rule you dont see skinks here climb, but you when they are hitting the vertical colorbond surfaces you can count on a snake being in close proximity, silence or manic calls from the bird population usually confirm the warning.
I'm not so sure about this one, I do think it's a Baby of some sort, we get Tigers, Browns and Redbellies. This one was (is) a lot smaller, (about 70cm), it wasn't as shiny as the redbellies I saw around, and definately not as big as a Brown. It had a matt grey colour. I would love it, if someone knew. I'm not worried about it, the snakes belong, my dogs don't. I have to look after both, if my dogs get bitten, it's my fault. We live in their country, so we better look after them! There are many things on our land I have to look after, I have a few things of significans to my aboriginal friends, who trust me to look after, and I'm honoured to do so. I do understand a few warning calls that tell me different dangers. If only we would listen more to what nature tells us.
Thanks sawtellda, I love your comments, M-lL
in the photo you can see the pattern of the scales, that might help to ID the snake?
M-L
Hello Araminta,
Brown snakes up here are inevitably pale grey in colour. Their adversaries, the Tigers are pale grey with fainter black stripes as opposed to the yellow/black of the open plains country Tigers.
Red Bellied Blacks are also paler. I'm taking a guess that this is because of the cooler/more wet environment of the mountains. Adult Red Bellied Blacks will eat baby Browns and have l have personally seen a Red Bellied Black and a Brown fighting - they spiral upwards wrapping themselves around each other. This is not mating as many people think - if you see two snakes lying full stretch side by side, that is mating.
It is possible that it is a Copperhead although they are usually more 'tan' in color. Given its size, it just may be a juvenile Red Bellied Black.
I hope the photo was taken with a long lense - the snakes head under the wood would suggest you were pretty close. They are very, very quick and can lunge/strike from some distance. And there bite is not wanted - most people who have been bitten and survived say the actual puncture wounds remain very sore for quite a long time.
Take care.
I'm pretty sure this is not a black snake; they tend to be shinier.
I think it might be a copperhead. Their colour is usually a duller black, grey or brown. They are also usually far less agressive.
Having said that, I'm no expert - but I have seen quite a few black snakes and tiger snakes in my time (and a few brown snakes and copperheads).
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
With some help of you all, and Windhover, we came to the conclusion that it is a Lowland Copperhead. (just as you think, soakes) I have seen a few Redbellied Blacksnakes, Brown and Tigers on our property, they were all much bigger, and the Reds a lot shinier , as soakes said.
I was pretty close, and I backed up when it reared up the head. Not joking, but I was very close last week, picking some herbs, when I heard it hiss but didn't see it. Was in the same spot.
Very interesting reading your observations mtck, I know the Browns eat their own Babies, that's why they try to get away from mum as fast as they can. Last year we had some tiny Tigers in our work shed. We caught them with a bucket and took them into the bush behind us. We explained to them, not to come back and bite us, because we saved them. Hope it worked?
I will be careful.
M-L
It does look as if you were awfully close to the snake Araminta, hope you are careful!
Meave
I like your attitude towards the snakes Araminta. Too often people will kill a snake who crosses their path out of fear. You're so right, it's their environment and all we can do is try and keep all parties happy and safe.
Might I also add I do like these snake photos, he has a bit of a cheeky face. :P