Coastal Taipan

Photography: © David Clode

(Oxyuranus scutellatus)

The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) is one of Australia’s most recognisable snakes. There are two recognised subspecies: the Australian subspecies, Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus, and a Papuan subspecies, Oxyuranus scutellatus canni, commonly referred to as the Papuan taipan. Coastal taipans play an important ecological role by helping to keep rodent populations under control. With sharp eyesight and impressive speed, they are highly effective predators that occupy a range of habitats.

Description

At an average length of around 2.5 metres, this large elapid has a slender, streamlined body and a broad, rectangular head that is clearly distinct from the neck. Its large, expressive eyes feature round pupils set against striking orange‑amber irises, giving the snake a notably alert and vivid appearance.

The face and snout are usually pale in colour, providing a strong contrast against the darker body. Body colour is highly variable, ranging from yellow, reddish brown to dark brown and almost black. Like many snakes, their colouring becomes darker in winter and lighter in summer to assist with thermoregulation. Their belly is usually a creamy yellow and often features orange-coloured spots which become visible when the snake raises its body into a S-shaped defensive posture. A pronounced angular brow, combined with their large, prominent eyes, gives the coastal taipan an intense expression.

While the coastal taipan is sometimes confused with the eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis), western brown snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) and mulga snake (Pseudechis australis), it has a larger head, narrow neck and its face and snout are lighter in colour.

Important: Colour, markings and overall appearance can vary considerably between individual snakes. Photographs, descriptions and information on this website should not be relied upon to identify a potentially venomous snake. If you encounter a snake, keep your distance and leave identification and removal to trained professionals.

Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) investigating a small tree. Photography: © Amanda Long

Identification

Midbody: 21-23 rows
Ventrals: 220-250
Subcaudals: 45-80 divided
Anal: Single (undivided)

Distribution

The species has a wide geographic range. Within the species, there are two subspecies. The Australian subspecies, Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus occupies the east coast of Australia, spanning from north-eastern New South Wales through to Queensland and across the northern parts of the Northern Territory to northern Western Australia.

The Papuan subspecies, Oxyuranus scutellatus canni, inhabits southern New Guinea.

Habitat

The coastal taipan occupies a wide range of habitats, depending on its location. It may be found in monsoon forests, sugarcane plantations, wet and dry sclerophyll forests, open woodlands, grassy clearings such as paddocks, and areas dense with Lantana. For shelter, it typically seeks out abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs, thick vegetation, or accumulations of ground litter.

Diet

During the day, coastal taipans often hunt rats and mice, although during hotter weather they may shift their activity to the cooler evening hours. Their diet also includes bandicoots, quolls, and birds. To subdue their prey, coastal taipans may deliver several rapid, highly accurate strikes. Once the venom takes effect, the snake follows its incapacitated prey, relying on its keen eyesight and chemical cues detected through its jacobson’s organ to locate it.

Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) eating a rat.

Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) eating a dead rat. Photography: © David Clode

Reproduction

The coastal taipan is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs. Breeding generally occurs between August and December. When a male encounters a receptive female, he approaches her while continually flicking his tongue and rubbing his chin against her body. Around two to three months after mating, the female lays a clutch of around 10-20 eggs, usually in a sheltered location, such as a hollow log, ground cavity or under tree roots. The eggs usually hatch 60 to 90 days later. Interestingly, captive females have been observed laying a second clutch of eggs many weeks after mating, leading to the theory they may be capable of storing sperm.

Males reach sexual maturity at around 80cm in length, usually at around 16 months of age, while females generally mature at approximately 100cm in length, or around 28 months of age.

Two coastal taipans (Oxyuranus scutellatus) attempting to mate. Photography: © David Clode

Venom

At around 13mm in length, the coastal taipan has the longest fangs of any Australian snake. When threatened or subduing prey, it can strike repeatedly, delivering a large amount of venom with each bite. Its venom is mostly neurotoxic and coagulopathic, affecting both the nervous system and blood clotting process. Although coastal taipan venom can cause severe envenomation, research on its venom components has contributed to a better understanding of blood coagulation and the way nerve signals are transmitted, helping to advance medical and toxinology research.

Predators

The main threat to coastal taipans is humans, however young taipans may be preyed upon by goannas and birds of prey or suffer from round worm parasites.

Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the coastal taipan is considered a species of least concern and is not currently at risk of extinction.

Fangtastic Fact

Up until 1956, when the first taipan antivenom was created, all recorded bites from this species were fatal. Nineteen year old snake handler Kevin Budden set out on a mission to catch a coastal taipan that could be used to develop the first taipan antivenom.

On 27 July 1950, Kevin caught a specimen by hand and hailed down a passing truck with the snake in his grasp and requested to be taken to the house of S.E. Stephens. After he arrived, the taipan escaped and bit his hand. Sadly, he died the next day, but not before he requested the snake be sent to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. The snake safely arrived there and was transported to David Fleay for milking. The venom collected from this milking led to the creation of taipan antivenom. It wasn’t until around 1955 that taipan antivenom became available and it was used to save the life of 10 year old Bruce Stringer in Cairns.

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