common brown snake

The eastern brown snake, also known as the common brown snake is an aggressive elapid snake that is responsible for most of the snake bite deaths in Australia. These creatures live throughout Eastern Australia in all but the inner suburbs of Greater Brisbane and especially in the west throughout Ipswich and the Lockyer and Brisbane Valleys. However recent captures by snake catchers have recovered specimens as close to Brisbane as Indooroopilly and Taringa. They are also common along bayside suburbs to the north and south including the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Basically, the eastern 1/3 of Australia is home to these critters.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Pseudonaja textilis Weight: Up to 7 lbs. Length: Up to 6.6 feet Lifespan: Up to 7 years (In captivity)

Now on to the Facts! 1.) If threatened they take up a strong defensive “S” shaped posture with a gaping mouth, ready to strike.

2.) They are mostly found in and around areas with a large rodent population, such as bird aviaries and stock feed sheds.

3.) These snakes are diurnal (active during the day).

4.) Brown snakes are known to brumate ( hibernation for reptiles) for 4 – 5 months, during colder times of the year.

5.) Predators include birds of prey and feral cats .

But wait, there’s more on the eastern brown snake! 6.) The eastern brown snakes sometime meet their fate by attempting to eat cane toads , expiring from the poison from the toad’s paratoid glands.

7.) Bite symptoms include convulsions, collapse, diarrhea, renal failure, dizziness, paralysis, and cardiac arrest. Without proper medical treatment, bites can be fatal!

Did you know…? The eastern brown is considered the 2nd or 3rd most venomous land snake in the world, surpassed only by the inland taipan and the golden lancehead . But, unlike the inland taipan, the Eastern Brown’s locale includes some of the most populated parts of Australia!

8.) The eastern brown mainly eats small mammals, frogs, toads, lizards, birds, eggs, and they have even been documented feeding on other snakes.

9.) The species is oviparous (lays external eggs).

10.) Females lay up to 25 eggs in late spring or early summer.

Now a Short Eastern Brown Snake Video!

Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel . Videos added frequently!

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This is a state of metabolic depression and inactivity in endothermic (warm blooded) creatures. It is displayed as a reduced heartbeat (by up to 95%), low metabolic rate, slow breathing, and low body temperature. Critters that hibernate typically prepare for it by building up an abundance of body fat during late summer and autumn that helps provide them with energy throughout the winter months. There are 2 types of hibernation: facultative & obligate hibernation. Facultatives hibernate when it’s too cold and food supply has been reduced. Obligates are able to sleep despite access to food and comfortable temperatures. A facultative hibernator would be the black-tailed prairie dog . A few obligate hibernators are: ground squirrels , mouse lemurs , and butterflies .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator . The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

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Reptiles undergo this type of dormancy during the late phases of autumn. They typically only wake up to consume water and then go back to sleep. Reptiles eat a great deal of food right before brumation since they can go for months without eating anything. This dormancy can last for about 8+ months depending on the age, health, and size of the reptile in question. This type of dormancy is typically begun by a decrease in daylight and with the onset of cold weather. Reptiles usually don’t brumate during the first year of their lives; rather they simply slow their movements and eat less.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips31','

An animal that falls into this category is active during the day. Animals that fit this description typically use sight for hunting prey. Others, like turtles , are active during the day as they need the sun\'s rays to aid in the production of vitamin D, which is needed to help process calcium and prevent metabolic bone disease. Hummingbirds rely on the sun as most of the nectar they gather comes from flowers that are open during the day. Cows , dogs , elephants , butterflies , and squirrels , for example, are diurnal.');

common brown snake

The Deadly Eastern Brown Snake