Pale-headed snake
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The pale-headed snake[4] (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[5] The species is endemic to Australia.
| Pale-headed snake | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Hoplocephalus |
| Species: | H. bitorquatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (Jan, 1859) | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Alecto bitorquata by Giorgio Jan in 1859.[6][7]
Description
H. bitorquatus may attain a total length of 90 cm (35 in), which includes a tail 9.5 cm (3.7 in) long. The top of the head is pale olive, with a bright yellow occipital blotch, which is edged with black. The body is dark olive dorsally, and may have a darker vertebral streak. Ventrally, it is greyish olive or brown.[3]
Distribution and habitat
H. bitorquatus is found on the eastern coast of Australia, from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales.[8] The preferred natural habitat of H. bitorquatus is forest.[1]
Behaviour
Diet
H. bitorquatus preys predominantly upon tree frogs, but also eats small lizards and small mammals.[1]
Reproduction
H. bitorquatus is viviparous.[2]