Unidentified

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Unidentified at suppressed - 23 Aug 2020
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Identification history

Pseudechis porphyriacus 14 Nov 2023 CarbonAI
Pseudechis porphyriacus 30 Aug 2020 PatrickCampbell
Cryptophis nigrescens 24 Aug 2020 Nivlek

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User's notes

Encountered whilst sunning itself in undergrowth, close to small drainage line and swampy ground, did not move during photography

5 comments

   30 Aug 2020
Looks more like and more likely to be a Red-bellied Black Snake, due to habitat and the fact that it was basking in the sun. How long do you estimate it was?
Nivlek wrote:
   30 Aug 2020
I could not see any red on it’s lower scales, as is usual for Red Belly Black snakes, which is why I opted for the Cryptophis ID. The length is estimated to be around 1 metre.
   31 Aug 2020
The head shape with what appears to be a distinct canthus rostralis and a relatively large eye, suggests a Red-bellied Black Snake rather than a Small-eyed Snake. The reason that you didn't see any red is because it may have been in pre-slough, as I can just barely make out what appears to be a milky eye. It also seems to be flattened out, which is more typical of a basking RBB or the defensive posture more characteristic of that species. The fact that it's diurnally active further suggests a Red-bellied Black Snake, as opposed to the essentially nocturnal Small-eyed Snake.
However because the image quality is not good, a positive ID is difficult.
Nivlek wrote:
   31 Aug 2020
Happy to be guided by your expertise on this ID.
   4 Sep 2020
Thanks Nivlek. I'm pretty sure that's what it is, so we'll pencil it in as such.

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Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 23 Aug 2020 12:01 PM Recorded on
  • Nivlek Recorded by

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