Snake from Currumbin Gold Coast
Carpet Python from the Hope Island, Gold Coast Boat Show.
Snake in Coomera
Snake from Currumbin Gold Coast
Gold Coast
Snake Identification
Wild Encounters Gold Coast Snake Catchers, have put together the most comprehensive guide to the large variety of Snake species encountered around the Greater Gold Coast Region.
​
South East Queensland is home to vast range of Snake species, all found in a huge variety of different colour and pattern variations.
​
Below are some photos and descriptions of the Snakes encountered on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Snake Identification Information & Pictures for the large variety of different Snake species found on the Gold Coast.
Coastal Carpet Python
The Carpet Python is a large, heavily built snake, reaching lengths between 2 - 4 meters and up to 15kg.
​
Variable in colour, ranging from Olive to Black with prominent White, Cream and Gold markings (diamond shaped or light and dark banding).
​
A common snake around SEQ, active both day and night. Commonly feed on Mammals (Rodents and Possums).
​
Non-Venomous. Harmless to humans (can have a powerful bite), Potentially dangerous to small pets.
Blind Snake
​
The blind snake is very much a unique looking snake taking a more 'Worm' like appearence.
​
They are a small snake ranging in size from 25 - 60cm. Colour varies from light Pink, Brown and Black.
​
They are a burrowing snake and frequently inhabits in garden beds, burrowing in the soil.
​
Commonly feeds on termites and ant larvae. They are Non-Venomous Snake, Completely Harmless to humans.
Brown Tree Snake
This is an arboreal snake with a slender body and a large bulbous shaped head and large eyes. Reaching lengths between 1.1 - 1.8 meters.
​
Colour varies between Brown, Orange-Brown to Red, with distitint bands darker in colour.
Commonly feeds on Birds, Bats, Lizards and small Rodents. This species is a nocturnal species.
Mildly Venomous. This is a Rear fanged Snake and Not considered Dangerous to Humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.
White Crowned Snake
The White Crowned Snake is a small species of snake reaching only reaching about 50cm.
​
They are a gun-metal grey colour, with a creamy colour stripe around the nose, eyes and neck area, creating a white crown like appearance.
​
The are a nocturnal species, usually residing under logs and rocks. Commonly feeds on lizards and skinks.
​
Inoffensive species of snake, often raising its body and jerking its head forward (headbutting), is largely bluff.
​
Mildy Venomous. Not considered dangerous to humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.
Golden Crowned Snake
​
The Golden Crowned Snake is the largest of the Crowned-snakes. averageing about 55-60cm (possibly reaching 80-90cm).
​
They are Grey, Greyish-Brown to dark Brown and Black. They have a Salmon-Red to Orange coloured underbelly.
​
This is a nocturnal species of snake, living under rocks, logs and leaf litter, especially near creeks. commonly feeds on skinks, lizards and their eggs.
​
Inoffensive species of snake, however will rear its body up into a S -Shape and Bluff or mock bite if they feel threatened.
​
Mildy Venomous. Possibly Dangerous to humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.
Marsh Snake
The Marsh Snake is a small species of snake reaching only reaching about 60cm.
Usually a Dark Olive-Brown to Black, with a Dark Grey to Black underbelly. Marsh snakes have two (2) very distinctive yellowish-white stripes running along its face.
​
Usually are a diurnal snake, likes to utilise rocks, bark, and thick organic matter. Usually found in moist and low-lying areas. Will readily feed on small frogs, skinks and lizards.
Mildy Venomous. Possibly Dangerous to humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.
Red Bellied Black Snake
The Red Bellied Black Snake is one that averages about 1.5 metres (possibly reaching 2 metres).
​
Glossy Black in along its whole body. The underbelly is a Pinkish-Red and comes up the sides of the body.
​
Usually a Diurnal species that prefers grassy or rocky areas, wet habitats and primarily found around watercourses. Predominantly feeds on Frogs.
​
The Red Bellied Black Snake is a snake that is reluctant to bite, but will usually flatten its body and neck as a means of intimidation.
​
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Stephens Banded Snake
The Stephen's Banded Snake is one that averages about 80-90cm (possibly reaching 1.2 metres).
​
The body is usually Brown or Black with thick Grey-Yellowish bands. Broad head distinct from neck, dark face with creamy-white blotches.
​
Usually a nocturnal species, good climber and mostly arboreal. Shelters in Tree Hollows, under bark and organic matter and rock areas. Primarily eats small mammals, frogs and lizards.
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Common Death Adder
​
The Death Adder is one that averages about 50-70cm (possibly reaching 90-100cm).
​
The body is short and thick with colour variation bewteen Creamy- Grey, Reddish-Brown to Black with thick irregular bands, underbelly is a Grey-Creamy colour. Large triangle head and short thin tail.
​
Usually a nocturnal species, very secretive snake and will lay still and bury itself under organic matter to ambush its prey. Primarily eats small mammals, frogs, lizards and other Reptiles.
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Tiger Snake
The Tiger Snake is one that averages about 1 metre (possibly reaching 1.5 metres).
​
The Tiger Snake is highly variable in colour ranging from Grey, light Brown, Olive and Black, prominent cross bands along its whole body. Underbelly is usually light in colour Cream, Yellow or Grey.
​
Usually a diurnal species the Tiger Snake is a robustly built snake with a large broad head. Opportunistic feeder on frogs, small mammals, lizards and birds.
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Common Tree Snake
Often Refered to as the Green Tree Snake, although alot of the time they are not Green.
They are an agile snake, reaching lengths between 1 - 1.5 meters and very thin slender.
Colour variations are Green, Olive Green to dark Brown and Black. There is a Blue colour phase in the species also. Prodominant Yellow on Neck and creamy yellow underbelly.
Active Both Day and Night, Commonly feeds on Frogs, Geckoes and Skinks.
​
Non-Venomous. Completely Harmless, can secrete a fluid out of their skin, that makes you smell bad.
Keelback
The Keelback Snake or Freshwater Snake is semi-aquatic snake, reaching lengths of 60 - 80cm.
​
Colour variations are Grey, Greyish-Olive to Brown, with irregurlar dark cross-bands and dark coloured flecks.
The scales are keeled, producing ridges along the snakes body.
​
Common feeds om Frogs, Lizards and sometimes fish. This species is one of very few of Australian Vertebrate's that can successfully prey on the Cane Toad.
​
Non Venomous, Completely Harmless to Humans.
Bandy bandy Snake
The Bandy Bandy is a another snake with a very unique appearance. Generally only reaching around 70cm.
​
The bandy bandy contains a unique colour and pattern variation consisting of Black and White ring bands, over their entire body.
​
They are a burrowing, nocturnal snake that burrows under soil, stumps, rocks and logs. They are usually active after in the evening, especially after rain.
​
Commonly feeds on Blind Snakes. They are Mildly Venomous. Not considered dangerous due to small mouth size. They have a unique defence mechanism raising their body off the ground creating loops.
Yellow-Faced Whip Snake
​
The Yellow-Faced Whip Snake is a small species of snake, only reaching 60-80cm, they are slender with a whip like tail and narrow head.
​
They are pale Grey, Bluish-Olive with a dark Orangy-Red streak on top of the first third of the snake.
​
These snakes have beautiful facial markings with a Yellow ring (eyeliner) around the eye, and a dark 'comma' marking below the eye.
​
Mildy Venomous, potentially causing a dangerous bite (especially to children and pets). Localised Pain and potentially severe Symptoms. Apply Correct First Aid.
Dwarf Crowned Snake
The Dwarf Crowned Snake is the smallest of the crowned snakes only reaching about 30cm. Very small snake with small eyes.
​
The are generally a Dark Steel-Grey to nearly Black on top. Creamy-Yellowish underbelly. The Crown (thin) only about couple of scales thick, Creamy-White in colour.
​
This is a nocturnal species of snake, living under rocks, logs and leaf litter, especially near creeks. Commonly feeds on small skink's and lizards.
​
Inoffensive species of snake, however will rear its body up into a S -Shape and Bluff or mock bite if they feel threatened.
​
Mildy Venomous. Possibly Dangerous to humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.
Eastern Small Eyed Snake
The Eastern Small Eyed Snake is one that averages about 50cm (possibly reaching 80-90cm).
​
Usually a glossy Dark Grey to Black, its eyes are black and blend into the body. The underbelly is creamy-pink (occasionally with spots), Underbelly colours do not reach the sides of the snake.
​
Usually a nocturnal species and lives within organic matter, rocks, logs and fallen branches. Feeds on small skinks, lizards, eggs and frogs.
​
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Eastern Brown Snake
The Eastern Brown Snake is one that averages about 1.8 metres (possibly reaching 2.5 metres).
​
The Eastern Brown is highly variable in colour and patterns. Ranging from Orange, Tan-Olive, Brown, Dark Brown to Black (occasional body banding). Underbelly is Creamy-Yellow, with Salmon and Grey blotches.
​
Usually a diurnal species, prefers dry habitat, woodlands, shrubs and grasses and farmlands. Predominantly feeds on rodents.
​
The Eastern Brown Snake is a nervous snake and will readily defend itself. They are the Second Most Venomous Snake in the World.
​
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Rough Scaled Snake
The Rough Scaled Snake is one that averages about 60-70cm (possibly reaching 1 metre).
​
The Rough Scaled Snake is a Brown-Olive colour with darker Brown-Black banding on its body (banding is irregular), underbelly is a creamy-olive colour. Scales have a 'Raised Keel' giving a raised look appearance to the scales.
​
Active both day and night. Found in Moist Environments and Feeds on a variety of frogs, lizards, skinks, birds and small mammals.
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Pale Headed Snake
The Pale Headed Snake is one that averages about 55-80cm (possibly reaching 90-100cm).
​
The pale headed snake is usually a pale Creamy-Grey to dark Grey (nearly black) with a Greyish-White band across the back of the head with dark blotches, underbelly is a pale Grey-Creamy colour. Broad head, distinct from neck.
​
Usually a nocturnal species, shelters in tree hollows, under bark and organic matter. Good Climber and partly arboreal. Primarily eats frogs and small lizards/mammals.
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Coastal Taipan
The Coastal Taipan is one that averages about 2 metres (possibly reaching 2.5-3 metres).
​
The Coastal Taipan is uniform in colour along its body Pale Brown, Dark Brown and Black. The nose and face are lighter than the rest of its body. underbelly is creamy colour with reddish-orange and grey blotches.
​
Active during in the day (early mornings and late afternoon). Head is long and distinctive. prominent 'eye brow' noticeable.
​
Dangerously Venomous - Potentially Causing a Fatal Bite. Always Apply Correct First Aid and seek Medical Attention Immediately.
Red-Naped Snake
The Red-Naped Snake is a small species that averages about 30-35cm (possibly reaching 45cm).
​
The Red-Naped Snake is usually a creamy-brown, with reddish tinge along its back. The head is black with a distinct Red spot in the middle. Underbelly is creamy-white.
​
They are a nocturnal species. They are a small looking snake that looks quite smooth. Usually favouring grassed and dry areas. Feeds on small skinks and lizards.
​
Mildy Venomous. Possibly Dangerous to humans. Always Apply Correct First Aid.