Facts about Tiger Snakes
Tiger snakes are not generally aggressive, and will flee whenever possible. When threatened they will flatten the body and raise the head above the ground in a classic pre-strike stance. Tiger snakes are a type of venomous serpent found in southern regions of Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania. These snakes are highly variable in their colour, often banded like those on a tiger, and forms in their regional occurences. The tiger snake can be defined as genus of large venomous snake in the family Elapidae restricted to subtropical regions of Australia. Tiger snakes are a large group of distinct populations, which may be isolated or overlappining, with extreme variance in size and colour. Individuals also show seasonal variation in colour. The tiger snake uses venom to dispatch their prey, and may bite an aggressor. The total length of a tiger snake may be up to 1.45 metres, 1.2 from snout to vent. The patterning is darker bands, strongly contrasting or indistinct, which are pale to very dark in colour. Coloration is composed of olive, yellow, orange-brown, or jet-black, the underside of the snake is lighter and yellow or orange. They are potentially fatal to humans. Tolerant of low temperatures, the snake may be active on warmer nights. Tiger snakes give birth to between 12 to 40 live young, an exceptional record was made of 64 from an eastern female. It is known for its multiple bluff strikes and loud hisses. The Common tiger snake has a flat blunt head, slightly distinct from a robust body. Body capable of being flattened along entire length when snake is agitated or basking. The Common tiger snake has an average length 0.9 m, maximum length 1.2 m but has been recorded at 2.0 m (or ~6.6 ft). The Common tiger snakes are highly variable in colour, with base colours of brown, grey olive, green with lighter crossbands usually of creamy yellow. Occasionally unbanded specimens are found. Ventrals number 140 to 190, subcaudals 35 to 65, mid-body in 17 or 19 rows and the anal scale is single in Common tiger snake. The Western tiger snake has a head that is distinct from its robust body, and grows to 2.0 m in length. Dorsally, steel-blue to black with bright yellow bands; unbanded specimens of western tiger snake occur. The ventral surface of Western tiger snake is yellow, tending black towards the tail. Midbody scales are in 17 or 19 rows, ventrals number 140 to 165, subcaudals 36 to 51 (single) and the anal scale is single (rarely divided). The Chappell Island tiger snake has a blunt head distinct from a robust body. The Chappell Island tiger snake are extremely huge as compared to other species of tiger snakes, averaging 1.9 m (over 6 feet) in length. The ventral surface of Chappell Island tiger snake is usually lighter in colour. Juveniles are banded. Mid-body scales are in 17 rows; ventrals number 160 to 171, subcaudals 47 to 52 (single), and the anal scale is single. The King Island and Tasmanian tiger snakes each have a blunt head distinct from a robust body. Younger King Island and Tasmanian tiger snakes may be slimmer and similar to other tiger snakes, eventually growing up to 1.5 m in length. Dorsally, may be jet black, jet black with lighter crossbands, grey with black flecks forming faint bands or an unbanded grey or brown. The ventral surface King Island and Tasmanian tiger snakes is usually a lighter colour. Midbody scales are in 19, 17 or someimes 15 rows, ventrals number 161 to 174, subcaudals 48 to 52 (single) and the anal scale is single. The Peninsula tiger snake has a blunt head distinct from a robust body. The Peninsula tiger snake averages 1.1 m in length. Roxby Island specimens are much smaller, averaging 0.86 m in length. Tiger snakes are found in coastal environments, wetlands, and creeks where they often form territories. Areas with an abundance of prey, such as frogs, can support large populations. Tiger snakes possess a potent neurotoxin (Notexin), coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins, and rank amongst the deadliest snakes in the world. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in their foot and neck region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. While antivenom is effective, mortality rates approach 45% if not treated. |
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