What snake am I?

[ba229]

Found a dead snake in the backyard today and was wondering what it was.

It was only about 30cm long but had a distinctive yellowish band across the top of its head.

Anyone know what it is?

[zedjack33]

It's a distinctive yellowish banded (across the top of its head) snake ;D ;D ;D

[smiley=jester.gif] [smiley=jester.gif] [smiley=jester.gif]

[Sportfish_5]

Wasnt sure what I was going to see here Alex when I clicked the link :o :o :o

Andre Agassi's Python ?

[agnes_jack]

Havn't got my book handy but...
I think it is one of the naped snakes. There are a few in the family but couldn't be sure without the book. Could be a red naped snake. If no one comes up with an answer I will check the book and let you know on boxing day.

Regards, Tony

[Mick]

Definately a Naped snake. I was going to guess the orange naped snake (furina ornata) but they are a bit lighter colour. They are also called the moon snake, only grow to about 40cm, a rarely seen, technically venomous but have small fangs and are reluctant to bite (week venom). They mainly feed on lizards.

I picked one of these up 2 days ago.

Oh, by the way, I am a Ranger by occupation.

Mick

[ba229]

hmmm don't know about the orange naped snake.

found a picture on the net and it doesn't look the same

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/tbiol/zoology/herp/fullsize/SF%20Furina%20ornata-3.jpg

[ba229]

i was leaning more toward the swamp or marsh snake

these are 2 pictures of the swamp snake i found on the net. At least thats what the photographer called em.

note the yellowish band is not as pronounced though

[ba229]

and the scale configuration on the head looks the same as my snake.

I should add for those that don't know I live in Newcastle (2 hrs north of sydney).

[Mick]

ba, can you count the scales for me going from side to side?
Don't know newy's snakes to well. Not a marsh snake, they have a white stripe on each side of their head. Although it probably can't be a naped snake, as it is in Newy, I have seen the orange naped snake as dark as this one. Naped snakes are found in northern parts of OZ only (naturaly).

[ba229]

ok counted the snakes scales in a diagonal line from one side to the middle and then back down the other side (like the web sites suggest).

There are 15 scales

here are 2 more pictures that may help

[baldyhead]

Good lookin snake that....DEAD!
Phew!

[ba229]

or not help :-)

[mackmauler]

im with baldy LOL

[Mick]

I am pretty sure it is a naped snake. Red naped snakes have 15 mid bodied scales and subcaudals divided, and can be found in some parts of the NSW coast and nothern parts of South OZ. They are the only naped snake found that far south.

[ba229]

thanks for the help.

apparently the red naped snake is found in Sydney so i would assume they are here as well.

I hate finding snakes in my yard. particulary when i don't know what they are.

[bungie]

Better your yard than your bed :)

[ba229]

yeh the poor thing would see the missus in her nightie.

thats scary for any creature ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Sandbar]

Dwarf-crowned Snake (cacophis krefftii) fits the description.35cm Dark grey abovewith narrow yellow band across neck.belly yellow,with narrow dark edges to ventral scales.midbody scales in 15 rows.anal & subcaudals divided.Information obtained from Wildlife of Greater Brisbane.This snake is found down to mid NSW.

[Jeremy87]

SAndbar beat me to it, found one in my pool once theyre quite cute actually.

[Big_Kev]

It is not a One Eyed Trouser Snake or a Pyjama Python.
There are plenty of web sites that show that kind of snake thats for sure.
Zeeke will be able to fill you in on the details of those web sites LOL.
But for me it is the only snake I like around and that would be DEAD.
Cheers Kev. Merry XMAS also.

[Zeeke]

barking up the wrong tree there KEVVAAAAAYYY

One eyed trouser snakes are ba229's territory, thats why he doesnt like them in his backyard, prefers them in the shed where he can wrestle the bastards

Tim

[Big_Kev]

HO HO HO ;D

[ba229]

ummmmmmm.

Steve Irwin sometimes wrestles snakes that spit in his face.

He even has to wear sunglasses to stop the "vemon" going into his eyes.

[Brett_Hoskin]

Looks like you beat the tripe out of that poor little snake.
Did you kill it?

[ba229]

nope.

i don't get close enought to snakes to kill em.

as i said. found it in the backyard like that. it does have some injuries to the belly but. hhmmmm maybe a bigger snake got to it?

[Cast_Off]

We here in WA call them "Dan Banded Snakes" don't ask me why as I had one that got under my security door and it decided to watch TV.
I freaked out (yes I'm a woman...lordi, what did you guys expect?)
Apparently they are supposed to be harmless but c'mon a snake is a snake.
I called every number known to man (Yellow pages and let your fingers do the walking is a load of croak) to get it out of my house...I ended up with my Mum (Bless her, she's now passed on) she came with a shovel but as I was jumping up and down and all over the place I think I squished it. Poor thing didn't even have a bite and I felt badly afterwoods when the Ranger told me it was harmless.