Fangtastic Facts
Red-Bellied Black Snake
(Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Named for the distinctive reddish colour along its belly, the red‑bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) is one of Australia’s most recognisable reptiles. It is sometimes mistaken for the spotted black snake (Pseudechis guttatus), small‑eyed snake (Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens), or copperhead (Austrelaps species). Despite its reputation, it is typically a shy, non‑aggressive species that prefers to retreat rather than confront people.
Other names
Common black snake
Description
This medium‑sized snake typically reaches 1.5–2 metres in length, with males generally growing longer than females. Its body and slightly distinct head are glossy black, while the snout is usually pale brown.
Along the lower lateral scales and the outer edges of the ventral scales, a vivid crimson flush is commonly present, though in some individuals this may appear orange or pink, and northern populations often show much paler bellies ranging from greyish‑pink to almost white.
The eyes are medium‑sized with a round pupil and a very dark iris, accentuated by a pronounced brow ridge that gives the species its characteristic alert expression.
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.
Pinkish-red belly scales of a red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus). Photography: © Amanda Long
Identification
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Midbody: 17 rows
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Ventrals: 170-215
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Subcaudals: 40-65, usually single with last few divided
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Anal: divided
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Supralabials: 6
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Temporolabial: present
Distribution
The red-bellied black snake has a geographic range that spans through much of eastern Australia. Their distribution is discontinuous in northern and central eastern Queensland, becomes more continuous from south-eastern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria, and includes a separate population in South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges.
Habitat
They favour moist environments, particularly near streams, swamps, lagoons, dams and drainage channels. Forests or woodland areas near water provide food sources as well as shelter, where they are commonly found in grass clumps, mammal burrows, logs or underneath rocks.
Diet
Dwelling near water provides red-bellied black snakes with access to abundant prey such as frogs and fish. They readily enter the water while hunting, often submerging completely and even consuming their prey underwater. They are also capable climbers, occasionally ascending several metres in pursuit of food. Their diet is broad, extending to small mammals, reptiles, and even other snakes, including, at times, other red‑bellied black snakes.
Reproduction
Red-bellied black snakes are ovoviviparous. Breeding season is in Spring. Males of the species have been known to travel long distances in search of a mate, sometimes over 1km in a day. Upon finding an interested female, the male rubs his chin over the female and displays twitching, hissing and biting behaviours. To demonstrate her interest, the female stretches out her body, allowing the male to align with her. Four to five months after mating, the female will give birth to up to 20 live young that are enclosed inside a membranous sac. Within two days the young snakes emerge, ready to explore their world.
Venom
The venom has primarily anticoagulant and myotoxic effects, meaning it can disrupt normal blood clotting and damage skeletal muscle.
Research from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience has also examined the biochemical properties of red‑bellied black snake venom. Some of this work has identified venom components, particularly certain phospholipases and related toxins, that may exhibit immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive activity, suggesting potential avenues for biomedical investigation. This remains an emerging research area, but it highlights the complexity of the species’ venom and its possible medical relevance.
When threatened, the red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) flattens its neck to appear larger and scare away its predator. Photography: © Ken Griffiths/Shutterstock
Predators
The species faces threats from a number of natural predators, including humans, feral cats, brown falcons and raptors.
Young snakes are particularly vulnerable to small birds, other snakes, frogs and surprisingly, red-back spiders. This species has been known to regurgitate live frogs, suggesting either no venom was injected, or the frogs are resistant to their venom.
They are also susceptible to parasites, such as tape worms, round worms, tongue worms and flukes.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List currently classifies this species to be of least concern. However, the reduction in frog populations in some parts of Australia have been sighted as a possible cause for a decline in red-bellied black snake numbers. Poisoning from the introduced cane toad, has also been suggested as a possible cause for declining numbers, as the snake sometimes mistakes them for harmless frogs.
They are also vulnerable due to habitat destruction.
Fangtastic Fact
Toward the end of pregnancy, red‑bellied black snakes may gather in small groups, a behaviour thought to offer additional protection during this vulnerable period. As birth approaches, females typically stop feeding, conserving energy and reducing risk while they carry their developing young.
Disclaimer
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Content on this website is provided for general educational purposes and is not suitable for identifying snakes or guiding interactions with them. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or suitability for specific circumstances. Wild snakes should not be approached or handled, and professional snake catchers should be contacted if assistance is required. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms.
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