Southern Carpet Python - Morelia spilota subsp. imbricata

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Southern Carpet Python - Morelia spilota subsp. imbricata

The largest snake in the Esperance region growing to a good 2.5 metres. I saw one once crawling across a limestone track on its way to a rocky outcrop, so got a good look at it stretched out and I would have estimated it was closer to 3 metres in length. It was obviously an old snake and was looking a bit battered and worn. I walked up to it, there was no reaction to me and it just kept going along its way. I find this indifferent reaction common amongst the big old snakes; they are the top predator in their environment and don't try to disguise the fact.

Although these Carpet Pythons occur on some of the south coast islands and should by rights also exist on the mainland around Esperance, I have not seen them and if there are some, then they would be quite rare. The pythons I have seen have all been in the mallee country to the NE of Esperance on granite outcrops or exposed limestone with deep holes. Here they can sometimes be seen sunbaking outside on sunny mornings. They are not venomous, but can still give a very nasty bite, so best left well alone.

Pythons are easily identified by their size and broad arrow shaped head, it is the only python in the Esperance region so cannot be confused with any other. This particular species occurs in numerous habitats thoughout most of Australia and with such distribution there are a number of subspecies of which the local one is properly known as Morelia spilota subsp. imbricata. The larger mammals and possibly birds would make up most of this snakes diet, which makes me wonder if this reflects their numbers locally, particularly as so many medium sized mammals have gone locally extinct (see Mammals - An Overview).

Update January 2012

Two photos added, which were taken on non-digital film 14 years ago and only now retrieved. The python was around 2 metres (6’-7’) in length and in the process of digesting a recent meal (probably a rabbit), whilst resting part way down a limestone sinkhole, with a small opening (barely accessible for me) at the bottom. These sinkholes are common in the mallee region NE of Esperance, where relatively small open plains (several hectares/acres) are created when limestone is close to the surface, thereby restricting the root-growth of the larger trees and shrubs.

Western Crowned Snake - Elapognathus coronatus

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Western Crowned Snake - Elapognathus coronatus

A common snake (less than 2' 6" or 690 mm), so slightly smaller than the Bardick Snake and not so stocky. Coloration is often similar to the Bardick, although more an olive grey to olive brown, but could be confused with it unless the head region is slighted. This is quite distinctive being a bluish grey with a broad dark band across the neck that extends around through the eye to the snout. This dark band is underlined by a prominent white one in the area of the mouth.

The Western Crowned Snake is active throughout the day and for most of the year, providing it is not overly hot or cold and are commonly seen sunbaking on flattened sedge/grass or sandy patches. Often they freeze and can be approached, but a sudden movement will send them madly squirming (but making little progress) into nearby vegetation. They hunt frogs around swampy areas and small lizards on higher ground. But they too are hunted by cats who take quite a number, not so much for food (although sometimes they will eat the lower body and tail section), but to play with and when finished, kill them by a bite to their head or neck.

The venom of crown snakes is not known to be dangerous to people, plus they are most unlikely to bite as they are not aggressive and just want to get away. So please let them do so.

Bardick - Echiopsis curta

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Bardick - Echiopsis curta

Very rare in the Eastern States, but reasonably common around Esperance and most active during spring, early summer and if summer rain, during summer and autumn too, although being nocturnal it is not commonly seen. It occasionally comes out on overcast days or in the morning or evening, but night time is its normal period of activity. It is a small stocky snake (to 2' 6" or 710 mm) with a broad head and often showing a raised keel along its back. Commonly grey to rufous brown and sometimes with small darker flecks. Around the mouth and neck there are often noticeable white scales.

It is usually found motionless and waiting in ambush to catch frogs and lizards, although will take any unweary passing vertebrate. If not harassed it will remain immobile for an hour or more and seems to have a particular prey in mind by positioning itself where its potential prey visits on a regular basis. However, if interfered with, it has a ferocious temper and can be very aggressive, striking repeatedly. Although venomous and known to cause unpleasant symptoms if bitten, it is not regarded as deadly and unless you go out of your way to harass this snake, you are very unlikely to be bitten. Like all snakes, treat them with respect and let them get on with their business, because they are not interested in attacking you, but will do so in self-defence.

Dugite - Pseudonaja affinis

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Dugite - Pseudonaja affinis

The largest venomous snake in the Esperance region, growing to 2 metres in length. As the frog eating tiger snake is most common around low-lying swampy areas, the Dugite is more frequently found in elevated sandy areas in search of their favourite prey, ie small mammals. The larger snakes check out the bush rat burrows and will over-winter in them too, the smaller ones are very keen on the introduce house mice and are often attracted to human habitation because of them. Dugites have long slender bodies and a similar diameter head; this allows them to get down the smallest of rodent holes.

Dugites like most snakes will eat other vertebrates like frogs and lizards, but mammals are their speciality. These snakes belong to the Brown Snake Group, many of which are highly venomous and should not be interfered with as they account for over 50% of Australia's snakebite fatalities. However, I have always found the Dugites to be very shy and not at all aggressive, but they are extremely fast and very likely to get a bite in if attacked or handled, so for your own good, leave them alone to go about their business and they will not bother you.

The local color form is a golden to a dark brown with scattered black flecks over the body. I also found one mature animal with a dark chocolate head, but most are as described. In other areas, the coloration can be dark brown to black, with or without darker flecks. Easiest way to identify the Dugite is by the long sleek body and smallish head, plus being very fast with relatively little sideway movement. Around Esperance it is mainly active during the day and is commonly seen during spring and early summer.

Tiger Snake - Notechis scutatus

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Tiger Snake - Notechis scutatus

The most common snake in the region, probably because it is primarily a frog hunter and with all the ephemeral swamps in the district, frogs are usually plentiful. However they will also readily take birds, lizards and small mammals given the opportunity. They will commonly hunt during the day, or at night during summer/autumn when frogs are not so common. Another trick of theirs is they climb trees, particularly the 6-10 metre tall Coastal Paperbark, Melaleuca cuticularis, which they often do in spring in search of birds nests and any fledglings they may contain.

They grow to around 4' 6" (1.4 metres) in length and locally have similar consistent markings, that being a very dark back with an orange to yellow belly, with numerous similar colored bands around the body. However completely black snakes without bands, or with incomplete bands, can be found elsewhere, as can lighter colored tiger snakes but these usually have the body bands.

Tiger Snakes are highly venomous and can become aggressive if provoked (note the flatten neck in one of the photos), so they should be left alone. I have found if you treat these and other snakes with respect and do not threaten or attempt to harm them, then they are very accommodating to you and are not aggressive, even when suddenly happened upon, they simply get out of your way. Australia in a land of reptiles and we should learn to live with them as they are more than prepared to accept our intrusions into their world.

For further details about this snake go here:

http://natureitems.blogspot.com/search/label/05.%20%20Tiger%20Snake