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Tiger snakes are large, venomous snakes native to southern Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania. They are highly variable in colour, with some displaying distinctive tiger-like stripes and banding in black and yellow, while others are unbanded and may be brown, grey olive, or green with lighter crossbands. They are relatively short and stout-bodied with a broad, slightly distinct head and an average length of 0.9 to 1.2 metres, although they can grow up to 2 metres or more. Tiger snakes are known for their aggressive nature and toxic venom, which has caused several human fatalities in Australia. They are commonly found near bodies of water and in moist areas, and their diet includes fish, frogs, tadpoles, lizards, birds, and mammals.
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What You'll Learn
Colour and patterning
The tiger snake is so named because of its distinctive tiger-like stripes. However, this species is highly variable in colouration and patterning. While some specimens have the characteristic black and yellow banding, others may be unbanded. The base colours of their bodies can range from brown, grey olive, or green, with lighter crossbands of creamy yellow or bright yellow. The underbelly is usually unbanded and lighter than the dorsal scales, ranging in colour from creamy-yellow to bright yellow. Tiger snakes from Tasmania are mostly jet black, while those found on the peninsulas and islands off South Australia are light-coloured.
The banding in juvenile snakes is often much more conspicuous, fading gradually as the snake matures. Large banded individuals are fairly distinct and unlikely to be mistaken for another species, except perhaps the banded form of the Eastern Brown Snake. On the other hand, juveniles could be mistaken for the Rough-scaled Snake or a Stephen's Banded Snake. Patternless tiger snakes may resemble several other venomous snakes, such as Copperheads, Black Snakes, or Red-bellied Black Snakes.
The average length of a tiger snake is around 1 to 1.5 metres, with a maximum length of 2 metres. They have a flat, blunt head that is slightly distinct from their robust body, and their wider head is slightly recognisable from their neck. Their fangs usually grow to a length of 3.5 to 5 millimetres.
Tiger snakes are relatively short and stout-bodied, with a broad head. They are often found near bodies of water and in moist areas, as well as in dry, rocky habitats of southern Australia and adjacent islands. They are excellent swimmers and can also climb trees and buildings.
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Habitat
Tiger snakes are found in a variety of habitats across southern Australia and its coastal islands, including Tasmania. They are highly adaptable and can survive in both moist areas and dry, rocky environments. They are typically ground-dwelling but are also capable swimmers and can climb trees and buildings. They are particularly prevalent near bodies of water during the summer months.
Tiger snakes are commonly found in swamps, wetlands, and watercourses of south-eastern Australia. They are often encountered near human populations and are known to frequent the same rivers and lagoons popular with people during the warmer months. They are a common species in these habitats and can sometimes be found in large numbers where food is plentiful.
As an adaptation to the temperate climate of their range, tiger snakes give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. They are typically diurnal, hunting during the day, but will also forage on warm evenings and at night during hot weather. They are opportunistic feeders with a broad diet, including fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, birds, small mammals, and carrion. They are capable of searching underwater and can stay submerged for at least nine minutes.
Tiger snakes are protected in most Australian states, but they are still routinely killed when encountered by humans. They are also vulnerable to road accidents and attacks by birds of prey, such as butcherbirds, goshawks, harriers, ibises, kites, and kookaburras. Despite these threats, their population is considered stable, and they are labelled as a "Least Concern" species by the IUCN.
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Diet
The diet of Australia's venomous tiger snake varies depending on its location and subspecies. The Chappell Island Tiger Snake (Notechis ater serventyi), for example, is known to have a more varied diet than other subspecies, including mammals and birds, in addition to the more common diet of frogs and lizards.
Young tiger snakes primarily feed on small lizards and frogs, which they hunt using their sense of smell and heat-detecting pits. As they grow, they shed their skin, allowing them to grow and remove parasites. During their first year, they may shed their skin up to four times, and this frequency decreases as they age.
Tiger snakes are often found near bodies of water, and their diet may reflect this habitat. They are known to hunt mice near farms or suburban houses, so small mammals may also be part of their diet. They are also excellent climbers and have been spotted in both natural vegetation and urban environments, showcasing their adaptability to diverse environments.
The diet of tiger snakes in Australia can vary based on the specific region and subspecies, but they primarily feed on small lizards, frogs, and, occasionally, small mammals and birds. Their hunting strategies and habitats demonstrate their adaptability and survival skills in various Australian environments.
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Behaviour and temperament
Tiger snakes are typically more afraid of humans than humans are of them and generally only act aggressively when provoked. They are mainly active during daylight hours but may switch to nighttime activities in hot weather to avoid extreme temperatures. They are excellent swimmers and climbers, allowing them to hunt in diverse habitats. They primarily feed on frogs, lizards, birds, and small mammals, and their venom plays a crucial role in immobilizing their prey quickly.
Tiger snakes are thick-bodied and highly venomous, with a distinctive yellow-and-black cross-band pattern. However, not all tiger snakes have these markings, and they can also be entirely black or dark brown. They are protected species in most Australian states, and killing or injuring one can result in a fine and even a jail sentence in some states.
When threatened, tiger snakes exhibit a distinctive defensive display. They flatten their head and neck, raise their head off the ground, and create an intimidating posture. They generally try to retreat or hide when confronted and only strike if they feel cornered.
While they are not particularly territorial, they may remain in an area with plenty of food and shelter. They are often found near water sources and can also occur in highly degraded areas, sheltering in fallen timber, deep matted vegetation, or disused animal burrows.
Tiger snakes are integral to Australia's wildlife, and their ability to adapt to diverse habitats underscores the critical need for snake conservation and habitat protection.
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Venom
The Australian tiger snake is a venomous species with a fearsome reputation. Its bite is potentially fatal to humans. The average venom yield is around 35 milligrams, with a record yield of 180 milligrams. The Chappell Island tiger snake, a subspecies of the black tiger snake, has an even higher average venom yield of 74 milligrams, with a maximum recorded yield of 388 milligrams.
Tiger snake venom is strongly neurotoxic and coagulant. It contains pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurotoxins, myotoxins, and procoagulants. The neurotoxins act as nerve paralyzers, while the procoagulants target the blood clotting system. When the tiger snake bites its prey, the venom causes progressive paralysis, blood clotting disorders, and kidney damage. Without treatment, fatalities can occur within hours.
The availability of antivenom has greatly reduced the incidence of fatal tiger snake bites. The unique characteristics of tiger snake venom have facilitated the creation of effective antivenom. However, due to the copious amounts of venom produced by the Chappell Island tiger snake, victims of envenomation by this subspecies should initially be treated with double the usual dose of antivenom.
Tiger snakes use their venom to kill prey and may also bite if they feel threatened. They are generally shy and prefer to escape rather than confront aggressors. However, if cornered, they will put on an impressive threat display, hissing loudly and inflating and deflating their body. They usually strike low to the ground and may also employ constriction in addition to venom to subdue their prey.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian tiger snakes are named after their distinctive tiger-like stripes. They usually grow up to 1 to 1.5 metres long, and their wider head is slightly recognisable from their neck. They are typically identified by cross-band patterns of yellow, brown, and black, but some do not have stripes on their scales. Their underbelly is usually unbanded or lighter than their dorsal scales.
The average length of a tiger snake is 0.9 metres, with a maximum length of 1.2 metres, but they have been recorded at 2 metres or more.
Tiger snakes have a broad diet that includes fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, birds, and mammals, as well as carrion. As the size of the snake increases, so does the average prey size.
Tiger snakes are commonly found in the swamps, wetlands, and watercourses of southeastern Australia. They are also found in Tasmania and on the peninsulas and islands off South Australia. They are often found near bodies of water during the summer.
