The genus Pseudechis contains the group of elapids

Elapidae

Elapidae is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...

 commonly referred to as the Black Snake

Black snake

Black snake may refer to:Snakes:* Pseudechis, any member of a genus of venomous elapids snakes found in Australia.* Coluber constrictor, a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America....

s. These snakes are found in every 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...

n state with the exception of Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

 and some species are found in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...

.
They inhabit a variety of habitat

Habitat

* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...

 types, from arid areas to swampland. All species are dangerous and can inflict a potentially lethal bite. Most snakes in this genus reach about 2m and vary in colour. Some species are brown, where others may be black. The most recognisable and widespread species in the genus are 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...

 (Pseudechis porphyriacus) and the Mulga Snake (King Brown) (Pseudechis australis). These snakes will feed on lizards, frogs, birds, small mammals and even other snakes. All species, except the Red-bellied Black Snake are egg laying.

Species

There is current debate on the taxonomy of these snakes and more species are likely to be described in the near future.. Several recent phylogenetic studies have provided evidence of the presence of species beyond the six recognised in most books

Mulga Snake or King Brown Snake, Pseudechis australis

Pseudechis australis

Pseudechis australis, the common King Brown, Mulga snake or Pilbara cobra, is a species of venomous snake found in Australia. It is one of the longest venomous snakes in the world and the second longest in Australia...

(Gray, 1842)

Spotted Mulga Snake, Pseudechis butleri

Pseudechis butleri

Pseudechis butleri, the spotted Mulga snake, is a species of elapid snake found in Western Australia. It is a member of the Pseudechis genus, dangerously venomous snakes that can intimidate an opponent by raising their head and presenting a hood. This cobra-like threat display is supported by the...

(Smith, 1982)

Collett's Snake, Pseudechis collettii (Boulenger, 1902)

Blue-bellied Black Snake, Pseudechis guttatus

Pseudechis guttatus

Pseudechis gutattus is a species of black snake that is only found in the inland areas of south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. On average, their measurement is 1.25m, but some snakes have been found to measure as long as 2m. Their diet consists of frogs, lizards, and small...

(De Vis, 1905)

Pseudechis pailsi (Hoser

Raymond Hoser

Raymond Terrence Hoser is an Australian herpetologist, snake-catcher, and author. Since 1976 he has written books and articles about official corruption in Australia. He has also authored works on Australian frogs and reptiles and operates a snake handling business, Snakebusters, in Melbourne...

, 1998)

Papuan Black Snake, Pseudechis papuanus (Peters & Doria, 1878)

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...

, Pseudechis porphyriacus (Shaw, 1794)

Papuan Dwarf King Brown, Pseudechis rossignolii (Hoser

Raymond Hoser

Raymond Terrence Hoser is an Australian herpetologist, snake-catcher, and author. Since 1976 he has written books and articles about official corruption in Australia. He has also authored works on Australian frogs and reptiles and operates a snake handling business, Snakebusters, in Melbourne...

, 2000)

Pygmy Mulga Snake, Pseudechis weigeli (Wells & Wellington, 1987)