Common Death Adder
Acanthophis antarcticus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Elapidae, Subfamily: Acanthophiinae, Genus: Acanthophis, Species: A. antarcticus
Southeastern, eastern, and southern Australia including parts of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.
Look up Common Death Adder in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Highly venomous, proteroglyphous (fixed front fangs).
Danger Level
Extremely Dangerous - Historically significant mortality rates (approx. 50%) before the development of antivenom.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Elapidae, Subfamily: Acanthophiinae, Genus: Acanthophis, Species: A. antarcticus
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN), though localized declines occur due to habitat loss and the impact of invasive Cane Toads (Rhinella marina).
Physical Description
Short, thick-set body with a broad, triangular head. Eyes have vertical pupils. Scales are slightly keeled. Coloration is typically grey to reddish-brown with darker crossbands; the tail terminates in a thin, worm-like lure.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen appears to be an adult (approx. 50-70 cm). Species average is 50-60 cm, with maximums reaching around 100 cm.
Habitat
Found in forests, woodlands, and grasslands. They prefer areas with deep leaf litter or low-growing vegetation for camouflage; ranges from sea level to mountainous regions.
Behavior & Temperament
Unlike most elapids, it is an ambush predator that remains sedentary for days under leaves. It is not aggressive but will strike extremely rapidly if stepped on or touched. Mainly nocturnal.
Diet & Feeding
Small mammals, birds, and lizards. Uses 'caudal luring,' twitching its worm-like tail tip to attract prey within striking range.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typical litter size is 10 to 30 young, born in late summer.
Venom Profile
Potent neurotoxic venom that causes post-synaptic neuromuscular blockade and respiratory failure.
Look-alikes
Often confused with vipers (Viperidae) due to convergent evolution in body shape. Distinguishable from many other Australian snakes by its extremely fast strike and uniquely thin tail tip.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN), though localized declines occur due to habitat loss and the impact of invasive Cane Toads (Rhinella marina).
Cultural Significance
Fascinating example of convergent evolution, where an elapid has evolved to occupy the ecological niche typically held by vipers in other parts of the world.
Notable Features
Possesses one of the fastest strikes in the world. Its tail features a modified tip specifically for luring prey, and its dorsal scales help it blend perfectly into soil and litter.