A Keelback Snake (Tropidonophis mairii) turned up at both the nightstalks this weekend at Howard Springs Nature Park (in exactly the same place!). This beautiful snake is also called the Freshwater Snake and is a common, non-venomous snake found in the Top End of the NT. It is also found in the Kimberley in WA and right down the Queensland coastal regions and just into NSW. It also occurs in Papua New Guinea. It is a relatively small snake - usually growing to a total length on only 75cm long. It is somewhat famous for being one of only a few vertebrates that can feed on Cane Toads without dying from the poison. The scales on the snake are strongly keeled, helping them to move quickly through the water. They feed mostly on frogs but can also take small mammals, fish and reptiles. Although this species is non-venomous - please do not interfere with them - treat all snakes as venomous because snake identification is a highly experienced skill. The colour of a snake can be and often is highly variable within a species.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 07:35:52 +0000