Broad-Headed Snake

Taxobox
name = Broad-headed Snake


image_caption = Broad-headed Snake at Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia
status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Elapidae
genus = "Hoplocephalus"
species = "H. bungaroides"
binomial = "Hoplocephalus bungaroides"
binomial_authority = (Schlegel, 1837)
synonyms = The Broad-Headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) is a venomous snake that is native to Australia. It is currently endangered in New South Wales and is listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth Legislation.

Description

The broad-headed snake is a medium sized species of venomous snake. Depending on age and habitat, fully-grown snakes attain an average length of 60 cm and can grow as large as 90 cm. They are black with numerous irregular yellow markings arranged in narrow cross-bands.

Habitat

The broad-headed snake is found in the Sydney Basin in New South Wales, Australia. The snake's habitat depends on temperature, age, gender, and breeding status. In the colder months, adult and juvenile snakes reside in the crevices of sandstone outcroppings on exposed cliff edges to receive warmth from the sun. When the temperature rises, adult males and non-breeding females move to the woodland, inhabiting the hollow trees of the surrounding area. Juvenile snakes and gravid females remain in the rocks and move to cooler, shaded areas.

The habitat has been degraded by urbanization and illegal rock removal. The sandstone rocks that the snakes occupy are valued for landscaping purposes. Their removal has led to a loss of habitat for both the snakes and their prey.

Behavior

Diet

Broad-headed snakes feed infrequently on small reptiles and mammals. Snakes in captivity are able to maintain or gain weight when fed one to two rats per month. In one documented case, a snake survived a fast lasting twelve months.

Juvenile snakes feed mostly on Lesueur's Velvet Geckos (Oedura lesueuri) and occasionally on small skinks. Adult snakes feed on Lesueur's Velvet Geckos, but also prey on lizards, small-eyed snakes, and mice.

Breeding

Male snakes reach maturity after five years whereas females require six. Mating occurs from autumn to spring and mature females produce a litter every two years. Unlike most of its venomous counterparts, the broad-headed snake gives birth to live young. Birth occurs between January and April, with each litter resulting in 4-12 offspring born in mucous sacks. Unfertilized oocytes and stillborn offspring are common.they were born in new york!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Status

The broad-headed snake was once commonly found in parts of Sydney; however, it is currently listed as an endangered species in New South Wales and vulnerable under the national Commonwealth Legislation. Its declining numbers are the result of habitat loss through urbanization and bush rock removal for landscaping.

References

[http://www.faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=295 Wildlife of Sydney Fact File]

[http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=1182 DEH Species Profiles - Hoplocephalus bungaroides - Broad-headed Snake]