Red-bellied black snake
Pseudechis porphyriacus
highly venomous
Usuaully shy in nature, red bellies will avoid human contact but will become defensive and bite if harassed, they will flatten their neck and hiss loudly when threatened.
Description
Body is robust. Head slightly distinct from neck and smooth scales. Colours is black with lowermost lateral scales and outer edge of ventral scales red to pink. Mid body scales are 17 rows.
habitat
Diurnal and sometimes nocturnal on hot days. Lives in forests, rain forests, creeks, grasslands and urban environments usually around water bodies.
Diet
Feeds on frogs, lizards, fish, other snakes and sometimes small mammals.
Distribution
Mainly found along the East coast from Cooktown, QLD to the Adelaide hills, SA.