Tropidechis carinatus
VENOM: Dangerously venomous, seek emergency assistance if bitten.
SIZE: Growing to 1.1m (Avg 70cm)
LOCAL DISTRIBUTION: The Rough Scaled Snake is considered a common species throughout the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions, particularly within the hinterland regions.
HABITAT: The Rough Scaled Snake prefers wet environments where there’s no shortage of frogs and rodents which they primarily feed on. This species is commonly encountered within rainforest areas, preferably at higher altitudes; however populations have been recorded from lower altitude areas including the Coombabah Lakelands where suitable habitat persists.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Rough Scaled Snakes are brown in colouration with dark spots, bands or splotches. These snakes have a broad head and relatively stocky body. As suggested by their name, the scales of these snakes are slightly keeled, giving them a rough texture that they utilise for climbing and grasping prey. The bellies are often a uniform cream colour.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:This snake is known to be semi-arboreal, and can be found traversing thick, low lying bushes where they are able to stay off the ground, hidden from predators as the forage.After each breeding season, pregnant females give birth to between 5-18 live young.
SIMILAR LOOKING SPECIES: EASTERN TIGER SNAKE, KEELBACK SNAKE, BROWN TREE SNAKE.
It’s important to realise that many species of snake can vary in colour, pattern and size. This often makes it very hard to make a positive identification of the snake. You should always assume that a snake is highly venomous, keep your family and pets at a safe distance and call a Gold Coast snake catcher.