The Collett's Snake - also known as the Down's Tiger Snake, Collett's Black Snake or Colletts Cobra - is a venomous snake native to Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. Although the Collett's Snake is not as venomous as other Australian snakes, it is capable of delivering a fatal bite, ranking nineteenth in the world's most venomous snakes.

Appearance

The colourisation of adult Collett's may vary from a dark brown colour to black, with irregular colour bands. These bands are usually cross-shaped and are generally an orange-red colour. The Collett's underbelly is normally the same colour as its bands, but may have varied discolourisations or discoloured patches. Juveniles are usually the same colour as adults but generally have brighter shades and contrast more. It is similar in physical structure (but not appearance) to the Red-Bellied Black Snake

Red-bellied Black Snake

The Red-bellied Black Snake, Pseudechis porphyriacus, is a species of elapid snake native to eastern Australia. Though its venom is capable of causing significant morbidity, it is not generally fatal and less venomous than other deadly Australian snakes. It is common in woodlands, forests and...

.

Length

The Collett's Snake are usually found between 1.8 - 2.2 metres. Males can reach up to 2.6 metres in length, while females can reach up to 2.1 metres. They are usually 30 centimetres in length at birth.

Venom

The venom produced by the Collett's Snake is similar to the Papuan Black Snake's and Mulga Snake's venom. The venom is cytotoxic and has haemolytic activity. Neurotoxins may also be found in its venom as well. Collett's produce around about 30 milligrams of venom in one strike. Black Snake or Tiger Snake anti-venom can be administered. It is the world's nineteenth most venomous snake.

Geographical distribution

The Collett's Snake is found exclusively in Queensland

Queensland

Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. It is primarily found to the west of Queensland and spreading from the north to south. They are found in dry-barren areas or plains.

Diet

The Collett's main diet consists of frogs and plague rats. Being diurnal they hunt during the day and feed by injecting their fangs into their prey and pumping their cytotoxic venom into them. Cannibalism is also known to occur in Collett's Snakes. When provoked, Collett's will produce a loud hissing noise and may produce a series of warning strikes. Although they are placid snakes, they will bite if under threat.

Reproduction

Mating

Mating

In biology, mating is the pairing of opposite-sex or hermaphroditic organisms for copulation. In social animals, it also includes the raising of their offspring. Copulation is the union of the sex organs of two sexually reproducing animals for insemination and subsequent internal fertilization...

occurs from early August to late October, where hatchlings emerge 2–3 months later. The female lays a clutch of 7-14 eggs. Reproduction in captivity is known to be highly successful.