Mitchell's Short-Tailed Snake
Parasuta nigriceps
A small, dark-headed elapid with a notably short tail, found across dry woodland of southeastern Australia.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.25-0.4 m (10-16 in)
- Range
- Southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia)
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Overview
Mitchell's short-tailed snake is a small elapid characterized by its proportionally short tail and dark head cap. It occurs across a broad swath of southeastern Australia's dry woodlands and grasslands.
It shares the secretive, rock-dwelling lifestyle typical of small Australian elapids, feeding chiefly on lizards.
How to identify it
- Small body with a noticeably short tail relative to body length
- Dark, blackish head contrasting with a paler grey-brown body
- Smooth scales
- Pale belly
- Short tail and dark head help separate it from co-occurring small elapids
Habitat & range
Found in dry woodland, mallee, and grassland habitats across inland New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, typically sheltering under rocks and logs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and secretive. Feeds primarily on skinks. Reproduces by laying eggs, as is typical for the genus.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the short-tailed snake?
Its tail is proportionally shorter than that of most other small Australian elapids.
Is it dangerous to humans?
It is mildly venomous but not considered dangerous.
Where does it live?
Dry woodland and mallee habitats of southeastern Australia.
What does it eat?
Mainly small lizards such as skinks.
Mitchell's Short-Tailed Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Mitchell's Short-Tailed Snake.
