Acanthophis hawkei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Barkly Tableland death adder | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Acanthophis |
| Species: | A. hawkei |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophis hawkei Wells & Wellington, 1985 | |
The Australian Barkly Tableland death adder (Acanthophis hawkei) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[2] The exact distribution of the species is unclear, but suitable habitat for the plains death adder consists of flat, treeless, cracking-soil riverine floodplains.[3] Based on the presence of suitable habitat, the potential geographic range for this species extends from Western Queensland, across the north of the Northern Territory to north-east Western Australia. Disjunct populations of the plains death adder are known to occur in the Mitchell Grass Downs of western Queensland, the Barkly Tableland on the Northern Territory/Queensland border and east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.[3] The snake is named after former Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke.[4]
A Protected Mobility Vehicle of the Australian Army, the Hawkei PMV, is named after the species.[5]
