White-lipped Snake

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White-lipped Snake - Peter Robertson

Drysdalia coronoides

Upper surface variable in colour from brick red through to olive-green or dark grey. Belly usually salmon pink. Grows to a length of 50 cm.

Details
Type
Reptile
Group
Animals
Snake
Biology

Active day and night. Viviparous (live young). Produces 3 to 10 live young in late summer. Stays in areas of heavy cover unless basking.

Distinctive Markings

White stripe along the upper lip.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Drysdalia
Species
coronoides
Restricted to south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Australia's most cold tolerant snake, inhabiting areas on Mount Kosciuszko above the snow line.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Small lizards, lizard eggs and frogs.

Habitat

Forested areas of southern Victoria usually in wetter habitats. One of the few snakes in Australia to survive high altitudes and southern latitudes, being cold-adapted.

Native Status
Native to Australia