DESCRIPTION – Generally gray to black dorsally, with a yellow/orange band at the nape of the neck and often a darker head shield with white facial flecks and a lime-yellow to creamy underbelly with ventral scales separated by dark black bars. Around 37cm. 15 mid body scales, 140-160 ventral, 20-30 sub ventral, anal divided. Family: Elapidae.
DISTRIBUTION – East of the Great Dividing Ranges, midway up the NSW coast up to around Townsville, QLD. Rainforest, woodlands, often under leaf litter, rocks or timber, in moist environments, including suburban gardens. Rare in Brisbane region.
ECOLOGY – Nocturnal. Terrestrial. Feeds largely on lizards. Oviparous, lays 2-5 eggs.
VENOM – MILDLY VENOMOUS – Not considered dangerous. Bites may cause local pain and swelling.
Updated November 2019 from Eipper, S. & Eipper, T. (2019) A Naturalists Guide To The Snakes Of Australia. John Beaufoy Publishing.
