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.