Lowland copperhead

The lowland copperhead or lowlands copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) is a venomous snake species in the family Elapidae, found in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. It is commonly referred to as the copperhead, but is not closely related to the American copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix. If provoked, the lowland copperhead is a dangerous snake with neurotoxic venom, which can kill an adult human if correct first aid is not applied promptly.[3][4]

Lowland copperhead
lowland copperhead, Mullawallah Wetland
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Austrelaps
Species:
A. superbus
Binomial name
Austrelaps superbus
Synonyms[2]

Hoplocephalus superbus Günther, 1858
Denisonia superba – Boulenger, 1896

Description

The lowland copperhead is generally 1-1.5 m (3–5 feet) long.[5] Their colour varies a great deal, from a coppery mid-brown to yellowish, reddish, grey or black. The copper head colouring that gave rise to the common name is not always present. Its venom has been measured at 0.5 mg/kg subcutaneous.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. A. superbus has a preference for areas of low vegetation near water bodies where it hunts for frogs, lizards and snakes, including smaller specimens of its own species.[5] It has been found in sandstone ridgetop woodland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, where it is becoming rare, due to increasing fires and the spread of urban settlements.[6]

Venom

The venom of lowland copperhead contains postsynaptic neurotoxins. There have been a dozen reported bites from this species, with one fatality.[7]

References
  1. Michael, D.; Clemann, N.; Robertson, P. (2018). "Austrelaps superbus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017. e.T102704097A102704137. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102704097A102704137.en.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Australian Biological Resources Study (22 August 2013). "Species Austrelaps superbus (Günther, 1858)". Australian Faunal Directory. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  3. TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania – Lowland Copperhead. Parks.tas.gov.au (2008-07-11). Retrieved on 2013-01-03.
  4. Cogger, H.G. (1979). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed: Sydney. ISBN 0-589-50108-9
  5. Parks & Wildlife Service – Lowland copperhead, Austrelaps superbus. Parks.tas.gov.au (2008-07-11). Retrieved on 2013-01-03.
  6. Hawkeswood, T.J.; Turner, J.R. (2008). "A record of Austrelaps superbus (Günther, 1858)(Reptilia: Elapidae) from Leura, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia with a description of its habitat" (PDF). Calodema: Supplementary Paper No. 90. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  7. O'Shea, Mark (2005). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Holland Publishers Ltd. p. 120. ISBN 9781847730862.
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