This widespread species is often referred to as the ‘common brown snake’, and is considered the second most venomous land snake in the world. The Eastern Brown Snake is the most commonly found venomous snake here in South Australia.

It’s distribution is widespread throughout South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, with isolated populations occurring in the Northern Territory.

Adult Eastern Brown Snakes are a slender species, averaging around 1.5 metres but can reach as long as 2 metres (7ft) in length. Their colouring varies from many shades of brown, chestnut and burnt orange to black, silver and cream. Ventral surface (underside) may vary from pale cream-yellow or orange, and often found with pinkish orange, or grey spots.

Juveniles have a black blotch on head, a black banding across their neck and in some cases, prominent narrow black banding on their body.

Their diet consists of a variety of vertebrates including rats and mice, birds, frogs along with lizards and other snakes.

The Eastern Brown Snake is known to thrive in areas of human habitation, though they like to hide and prefer dry areas; particularly under rocks, concrete, scrap metal, woodpiles and logs.

They have also been found in animal holes and burrows, compost areas and farm barns.

They are an alert, nervous species and commonly react in a defensive manner if surprised or cornered. They are extremely swift, alert, nervous and quick to retaliate if provoked, rearing head and forebody into an S-shape stance.