Eastern Brown Snake
Pseudonaja textilis
Highly Venomous
Other common names: Common Brown Snake, Brown Snake
Species Profile
Eastern Brown Snake
Significance to Humans
Highly Venomous
The Eastern Brown snake is a species that should be treated with caution. While it is known for its venomous bite, incidents of human fatalities have occurred, making it important to exercise care around this species. When feeling threatened, the Eastern Brown may display a defensive “S” shaped posture and may bite if provoked. Is the second most venomous land snake in the world. As with any venomous snake, bites should be treated promptly with appropriate first aid measures. It’s essential to be mindful of their presence and take necessary precautions when encountering them.
General Description
The Eastern Brown snake exhibits remarkable variations in colouration and pattern. Its colour spectrum ranges from pale tan to orange, russet, dark brown, and even almost black, sometimes featuring cross-body banding. The belly of this snake typically displays creamy, yellow, or orange hues with scattered orange or grey blotches. Younger individuals, such as hatchlings and juveniles, often exhibit more distinct variations in colour, with some having dark heads or neck bands, or even complete banding along the length of their bodies. Midbody scales at 17 rows.
Average Length
1.4 metres but a specimen of 2.3 metres was recorded from Karalee in South east Queensland by a Brisbane snake catcher. Snakes in excess of 1.8 metres are very uncommon.
Habitat in SE Qld
The Eastern Brown snake is adaptable to a wide range of habitats, but it tends to favour drier environments. It can be found in dry open forests, woodlands, shrub-lands, grasslands, and even farmlands. This species has shown remarkable success in agricultural regions where tree clearing and the introduction of mice and rats have created ideal conditions with an abundance of food.
General habits
A diurnal and active hunter, primarily active during the day. However, there have been observations of it being active on hot nights as well. Although not typically considered a climbing species, it may occasionally climb to search for potential prey. When approached or threatened, the Eastern Brown snake is quick to retreat, often vanishing into nearby cover to avoid confrontation.
Diet
Primarily preys on small mammals such as rats and mice. It also includes lizards in its diet and occasionally consumes frogs.
Local distribution
Most common large venomous snake. It can be found throughout Greater Brisbane, with the exception of the inner suburbs. It is particularly abundant in the western areas, spanning Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, and the Brisbane Valley. Surprisingly, recent captures by snake catchers have revealed specimens as close to the Brisbane CBD as Indooroopilly and Taringa. The Eastern Brown snake is also commonly observed in bayside suburbs to the north and south, extending to popular coastal areas like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Around the home
The Australian Eastern Brown snake is frequently encountered in areas with a high rodent population, such as bird aviaries and stock feed sheds. It’s active foraging behavior often leads it to enter homes through gaps under doors or open spaces. The snake can utilise various ground refuges, including timber piles, sheet iron, rock walls, and dense vegetation. To help control the rodent population that the Eastern Brown snake relies on for food, maintaining tidy yards and controlling spilled seed and pet food can be beneficial.
Eastern Brown Snake Gallery
