Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis Porphyriacus)

The red-bellied black snake (*Pseudechis porphyriacus*) is a medium-sized (typical length 1.5 - 2 m ) species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Dorsal head and body colour is uniform black, except for the snout which is often pale brown. The lowest lateral scale rows and the outer edge of the ventral scales are bright crimson, fading to duller red, orange or pink in the middle of the belly. In the north of the range the ventral colour may be greyish-pink to white. The underside of the tail is black. Body scales are smooth and glossy. Eyes are medium size and shadowed by an obvious brow-ridge. The iris is very dark, and the pupil is round. The head of the snake is barely distinguishable from its neck.

The red-bellied black snake is commonly associated with streams, rivers, creeks, swamps and other wetland areas. They may wander into well vegetated private gardens which are adjacent to water courses.

It is not an aggressive species and generally retreats from encounters with people, but can attack if provoked. Although its venom is capable of causing significant illness, no deaths have been recorded from its bite, which is less venomous than other Australian elapid snakes. The venom contains neurotoxins, myotoxins, and coagulants and has haemolytic properties; victims can also lose their sense of smell.

May be confused with the related Blue-bellied (or Spotted) Black Snake (*Pseudechis guttatus*), Small-eyed Snake (*Cryptophis nigrescens*), and Copperhead (*Austrelaps spp.*)