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Elapidae

Golden-crowned Snake

Venomous

Cacophis squamulosus

Golden-crowned Snake
Cacophis squamulosus, © Ryan van Huyssteen
Golden-crowned SnakeGolden-crowned SnakeGolden-crowned SnakeGolden-crowned SnakeGolden-crowned Snake

6 photographs of the Golden-crowned Snake. © Ryan van Huyssteen.

The Golden-crowned Snake (Cacophis squamulosus) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 1 country.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family
Elapidae
Danger
high

About the Golden-crowned Snake

The golden-crowned snake (Cacophis squamulosus) is a small species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Habitat

Like other Cacophis species, the golden-crowned snake is a forest specialist, particularly rainforest. It prefers deeper forested areas, particularly rainforest on mountain slopes, however it can show up in suburbs near waterways and moist environments with ground cover and shelter.

Venom

Cacophis squamulosus is only mildly venomous; however, it will bluff and mock bite if threatened, rearing into an S-shape to display the bright orange ventral pigmentation. Bites from larger individuals may present a health risk; however, it is more likely to attempt to intimidate those it feels threatened by.

Diet

The diet of the golden-crowned snake consists mostly of skinks and other small lizards which they hunt at night; they may also take frogs and tadpoles.

Geographic range

Cacophis squamulosus is localised to eastern Australia, from Canberra, ACT, to Cairns, QLD.

Description

The average total length (including tail) of C. squamulosus is 50 cm (20 in), but it may reach 98 cm (39 in), making it the largest of the crowned snakes. The golden-crowned snake has a dorsal surface grayish-brown to dark brown in colour, and a ventral surface of orange to pink, with a mid-line of black spots. The "crown" is a pale yellow-brown stripe starting at the snout and sweeping back along both sides of the head, not connecting at the back of the head as in C. krefftii or C. harriettae, instead trailing down the neck. The Dorsal scales are in 15 rows at mid-body.

Reproduction

Cacophis squamulosus is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Golden-crowned Snake

Is the Golden-crowned Snake venomous?
Yes. The Golden-crowned Snake (Cacophis squamulosus) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Golden-crowned Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Golden-crowned Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Golden-crowned Snake dangerous?
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Golden-crowned Snake live?
The Golden-crowned Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Golden-crowned Snake eat?
The diet of the golden-crowned snake consists mostly of skinks and other small lizards which they hunt at night; they may also take frogs and tadpoles.

If you are bitten by the Golden-crowned Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Do

  • Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
  • Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
  • Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
  • Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
  • Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
  • Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

  • Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
  • Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Australia

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Cacophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Cacophis squamulosus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.