Brown-headed snake (species: Furina tristis) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Chordata > Vertebrata > Reptilia > Squamata > Serpentes > Elapidae > Furina > Furina tristis (gallery)
Furina tristis
Brown-headed snake


©Lyle Vail: A Brown-headed snake at Lizard Island Research Station at night

©Anne Hoggett: Brown-headed snake at Lizard Island.

show or add records

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Family Elapidae
Genus Furina
Species Furina tristis
Status least concern

Show in taxonomy
Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A dark blackish brown snake with a broad paler band at the back of the head. Side scales are outlined in white. Less than a metre long, usually about 80 cm at Lizard Island.

Usually seen only at night. A bite from a large individual could cause severe symptoms (Wilson and Swan, 2010).

Size

  • Up to 100 cm (overall length, Wilson and Swan, 2010)

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Behaviour

Nocturnal

Web resources

Danger

  • requires treatment - Bite is venomous.

References

References that assist with identification

  • Wilson, S. and G. Swan (2010). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia: 3rd Edition 558 pp. New Holland Publishers, Australia.

Other references

  • Limpus, C.H. (1982). The reptiles of Lizard Island, Herpetofauna, 13(2): 1-6. LIRS catalog number 73.