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The Common Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), is a species of Death Adder native to Australia. It is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia and the world. Unlike its sister species of Death Adders, the Common Death Adder is common and is not under major threat.

Description

Common Death Adders have broad flattened, triangular heads and thick bodies. Reaching a length of 70-100 centimeters, they are light brown with dull, darker brown-black stripes running horizontally across their bodies. Their fangs are longer than most of Australia’s venomous/poisonous snakes.

Distribution

The Common Death Adder occurs over much of eastern and coastal southern Australia - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It may also be found more scarce in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the west parts of South Australia, due to its sister species of Death Adders (e.g. Desert Adder).

Habitat

Common Death Adders are found in forests, woodlands, grasslands and heaths of the Eastern Coast of Australia. The Death Adder is a master of camouflage, due to its band stripes, hiding beneath loose leaf litter and debris in woodland, shrubland and grassland.

Diet

Common Death Adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet. Unlike other snakes, the Common Death Adder lies in wait for its prey (often for many days) until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves — making itself inconspicuous — and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its yellowish grub-like tail close to its head as a lure. When an animal approaches to investigate the movement, the death adder quickly strikes, injecting its venom and then waits for the victim to die before eating it. This ambush hunting makes the death adder more of a threat to humans.

Reproduction

Unlike most snakes, Death Adders produce litters of live young. In the late summer, a female Death Adder will produce a litter of live babies, approximately 10-20, however over 30 young have been recorded in a single litter.[1]

Venom

The Common Death Adder venom contains highly toxic neurotoxin which can cause paralysis. It can deliver the fastest strike among all venomous snakes recorded in Australia.

Resources

• Sydney Wildlife Fact File
• Reptile Park
• The Australian Zoo
• Natural Born Killers (ITA)