Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)

The Tiger Snake, Notechis scutatus, is a venomous elapid of southern Australia, found across the south-east of the continent, in Tasmania and on many coastal islands, and in the south-west. [1] The Australian Museum describes its venom as strongly neurotoxic and coagulant. [1]

Most Australians know the name and the reputation, but the Museum notes that few people will ever encounter one. [1] Habitat is a more useful safety clue than appearance.

Identification: stripes are not a reliable clue

The name comes from the yellow and black cross-bands seen in some populations, but not all tiger snakes have them. The most commonly seen form is dark olive-brown to blackish-brown with off-white to yellowish bands of varying thickness. Entirely patternless snakes occur even in banded populations, ranging from yellowish-brown to black, and some populations, such as those in the central highlands and south-west of Tasmania, are almost entirely unbanded. [1]

Dark colouring is most developed in populations exposed to cool or highly variable conditions, such as high altitudes and offshore islands. [1] The head is moderately wide and deep and only slightly distinct from a robust, muscular body. When threatened, the snake can flatten its neck and upper body, exposing black skin between the large, semi-glossy scales. [1]

Size varies a great deal. The Museum gives an average total length of about 1.2 metres for mainland tiger snakes, with some reaching about 2.1 metres, while island populations range from about 1 metre on Roxby Island in South Australia to about 2.4 metres on Chappell Island in Bass Strait. In general, males appear to grow larger than females. [1]

Taxonomy can confuse searches. People once recognised two species, the Eastern Tiger Snake and the so-called Black Tiger Snake, but the Museum says recent genetic studies show them to be similar, so there now appears to be one wide-ranging, highly variable species. The older names and several subspecies names remain in popular use. [1]

Other snakes can look alike. The Museum says a large banded tiger snake is unlikely to be confused with anything except perhaps a banded form of the Eastern Brown Snake, and that juveniles could be mistaken for a Rough-scaled Snake or a Stephen's Banded Snake. Patternless tiger snakes may resemble copperheads or black snakes, and on Kangaroo Island some have a reddish belly that has led to confusion with the Red-bellied Black Snake. [1] Because so many snakes overlap, colour, pattern and size cannot safely tell you what you are looking at, and Queensland Government first-aid guidance is to assume all snakes are venomous. [4]

Australian range and habitat

Tiger snakes have a non-continuous distribution within two broad areas: south-eastern Australia, including the islands of Bass Strait and Tasmania, and south-western Australia. They also live on a number of offshore islands. [1]

The species is often associated with watery places such as creeks, dams, drains, lagoons, wetlands and swamps. It can also occur in highly degraded areas, including grazing land, especially where there is water and local cover. [1] Tiger snakes shelter in or under fallen timber, in deep matted vegetation and in disused animal burrows. [1]

Unlike most other Australian elapids, tiger snakes climb well on both vegetation and human constructions, and have been found as high as 10 metres above the ground. [1] They range from sea level to above 1000 metres in Tasmania. [1]

Behaviour, activity and diet

Tiger snakes are largely active by day, although they will forage on warm evenings. They readily search underwater and can stay under for at least nine minutes. [1] The diet is broad: fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, birds and mammals, as well as carrion. [1]

They are more active in the warmer months but may bask on warm winter days. In cool periods they shelter in animal burrows, under large boulders and in standing dead trees, sometimes as deep as 1.2 metres underground. [1]

The Museum describes the species as generally shy and preferring escape to conflict. A cornered tiger snake may hold its forebody in a tense, loose curve with the head slightly raised and pointed at the threat, hiss loudly and inflate and deflate its body. If provoked further, it may lash out and bite forcefully. [1] That display is a warning to back away, not something to test or photograph from close range.

Safer encounters near water, farms and gardens

• Leave it alone and back away. The best way to avoid being bitten is simply to leave the snake alone. [4] Stay calm, walk away slowly and watch it from a safe distance if you can. [5]
• Never try to catch or kill it. Most people who are bitten are trying to catch or kill a snake. [5] The Museum notes that tiger snakes have been heavily persecuted and are still routinely killed. [1]
• Respect wet, covered edges. Creek lines, dams, drains and reedy margins are typical tiger snake habitat. [1] Do not put hands or feet in or under logs, rocks, hollows, crevices or debris without checking first. [4]
• Dress for the bush. Wear boots and trousers or gaiters when bushwalking, watch where you place your feet, and use a torch at night. [4]
• Give it space. Keep people and pets well back and let the snake move away on its own. If a snake is inside the house, keep people and pets away, close internal doors to its room if you can, and call a professional snake catcher. [5]

Suspected bite: call 000

The Australian Museum says anyone suspected of being bitten by a tiger snake should seek medical attention immediately. [1] Do not wait for symptoms.

The NSW Poisons Information Centre gives this first aid for any snake bite or potential snake bite: [3]

1. Call 000 for an ambulance.
2. Remove the person from further danger and keep them still. Do not let them run or panic.
3. Apply a pressure bandage. Queensland Government guidance is to use a broad bandage, bind the limb starting at the bite and continue over the whole limb at about the pressure of a sprain bandage, then splint the limb and keep it completely still until help arrives. Do not remove the bandage, elevate the limb, or let the person walk. [4]
4. If the person collapses or stops breathing, start CPR. [3]

Do not wash the bite, cut it or suck it, apply a tight tourniquet, or try to catch the snake. [3] [4] Venom left on the skin helps doctors identify the snake, and hospital teams can work out which antivenom is needed, so you do not have to identify the snake yourself. [4]

The Poisons Information Centre helpline is 13 11 26. It does not replace calling 000 for a possible snake bite. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Are all tiger snakes striped?

No. Bands are typical of some populations only. Many tiger snakes are plain dark brown or black, and some populations are almost entirely unbanded. [1]

Is a "Black Tiger Snake" a different species?

The Museum says the differences between the so-called Black Tiger Snake and the Eastern Tiger Snake appear inconsistent and that they are genetically similar, so there now seems to be a single variable species. The older names are still widely used. [1]

Where in Australia are tiger snakes found?

In two broad areas: south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands, and south-western Australia, plus some offshore islands. The distribution is patchy. [1]

Can tiger snakes swim and climb?

Yes. They search underwater for prey and, unlike most other Australian elapids, climb well on vegetation and human constructions. [1]

Can I tell a Tiger Snake from an Eastern Brown by looking?

Not safely. A banded form of the Eastern Brown can resemble a large banded tiger snake, and hatchling Eastern Browns can also be banded. [2] [1] Keep your distance and treat any unidentified snake as potentially venomous. [4]

Should I wait for symptoms before calling 000 after a possible bite?

No. Call 000 straight away after a possible bite and follow the call-taker's instructions. [1] [3]

References

1. [1] Tiger Snake | Australian Museum
2. [2] Eastern Brown Snake | Australian Museum
3. [3] Snake bites | NSW Poisons Information Centre
4. [4] Snake bites | Queensland Government
5. [5] Snakes | Logan City Council