Red-naped snake
The red-naped snake (Furina diadema) is a small venomous reptile[2] from the family Elapidae.[3] The snakes are found in four Australian states [3] and are listed as 'threatened' in Victoria'.[4] They are nocturnal and feed on small skinks.[2] The young eastern brown snake is similar in appearance.[5]
| Red-naped snake | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Furina |
| Species: | F. diadema |
| Binomial name | |
| Furina diadema | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
The red-naped snake has small black eyes, a shiny black head, and neck. Its head appears to be partially flattened. On the upper lip is a streak of white. On the back of the neck there is a well defined patch of orange or red in the shape of a diamond, crescent or oval. The belly can be either a cream colour or white. The remainder of the body is a red-brown colour.[2] The edges of these dorsal scales are either black[2] or dark brown[6] and this makes the scales look like a net.[2]
Furina diadema have a slim body and are considered a small snake.[2] They have been reported to reach a maximum length of 45 cm.[6] Other sources have reported them as reaching a maximum total length of 40 cm.[5][1] The males are the smaller sex.[2] Theses snakes have between 160 and 210 ventral scales, a divided anal scale, between 35 and 70 subcaudal scales and generally 15 rows of mid-body scales.[1]
Venom
Although red-naped snakes are venomous, they are considered harmless to humans. If threatened they will strike out several times with their forebody held in the air, most often with a closed mouth.[1] They can bite and will do so if they are provoked enough.[2]
Habitat
The red-naped snake is a terrestrial species[5] that is found in many parts of eastern Australia: in dry woodlands and forests, coastal forests and heaths,[1] tussock grasslands and shrublands.[2] It generally stays away from wet areas, like rainforests.[7] They shelter under rocks and fallen timber, in ant or termite nests,[5] under wood piles, leaves, old sheets of iron, in crevices[7] and abandoned burrows.[2]
Geographic range
The red-naped snake is in four Australian states of Australia; Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and also the Northern Territory.[3] It is found in arid to humid parts, from Port Augusta in South Australia to Cairns in northern Queensland.[7] Some areas in which they have been sighted include the Coongie Lakes Ramsar Site in South Australia;[8] Woomargama National Park and Mullengandra in NSW Murray Catchment;[5] in the Lower Murray darling basin, NSW;[9] around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; the Museum of Victoria notes this species is in the far north-west of the state, in riverine areas;[10] 18 National Parks in Queensland.[7]
Diet
Furina diadema prey upon little skinks.[1]
Reproduction
The red-naped snake is oviparous,[5] Records for clutch sizes vary: 2–5,[6] 1–10,[2] 3–6,[11] 1–5, 8 and an average of 3.[1] In subtropical regions red-naped snakes have more than one clutch in a year.[2] They hatch out of their eggs in January, unless in a cooler region, where they hatch in February.[2] The recorded lengths for snakes when they are first born vary, 12 cm (4.7 in)[2] and 15 cm (5.9 in).[6] They become adults within a year.[2]
Behaviour
The red-naped snake are a nocturnal species.[5] Sometimes they share their space with each other.[6] Both venom and constriction is used to kill prey.[2] They eat more in the warmer times of the year and hunt for food in restricted places such as burrows and fissures.[2]
Similar species
The red-naped snake is similar in appearance to the juvenile eastern brown snake. The eastern brown snake has a lighter band between its dark head and the neck.[5] These two snakes can be differentiated by their behaviour, as the eastern brown snake is out during the day, while the red-naped snake is nocturnal and not often seen unless its retreat has been disturbed.[5]
Conservation status
Furina diadema are listed as 'Threatened' in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[4]
Origin
Evidence suggests that there was a migration of Asian elapid snakes into Australia many years ago and they evolved into different genera over time, including the Furina species Furina diadema.[11]
References
- H., Cogger (2014). Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. p. 895. http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6501.htm
- Cronin, Leonard (2001). Australian Reptiles and Amphibians. Jon Carpenter Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85881-186-7.
- "Furina diadema | The Reptile Database". reptile-database.reptarium.cz. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- "Department of Environment & Primary Industries Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Threatened List May 2014" (PDF). depi.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- Michael, Damian; Lindenmayer, David (2010). Reptiles of the NSW Murray Catchment: A Guide to Their Identification, Ecology and Conservation. Csiro Publishing. http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6255.htm.
- Swan, G (1990). A field guide to the snakes and lizards of New South Wales. p. 186.
- "Red-naped snake (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection)". ehp.qld.gov.au. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- "Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention in Australia – a showcase of Australian Ramsar sites" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- "Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions - Species List" (PDF). Department of the Environment. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- "Red-naped Snake: Museum Victoria". museumvictoria.com.au. Archived from the original on July 29, 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- Shine, Richard (January 1994). Australian Snakes: A Natural History. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-8261-5.