Is the Pale-headed Snake venomous?

Yes. The Pale-headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) 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 Pale-headed Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pale-headed Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Pale-headed Snake live?

The Pale-headed Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

Pale-headed Snake

Venomous

Hoplocephalus bitorquatus

Pale-headed Snake — Hoplocephalus bitorquatus, © Alan Couch

5 photographs of the Pale-headed Snake. © Alan Couch.

The Pale-headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) 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 Pale-headed Snake

The pale-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described as Alecto bitorquata by Giorgio Jan in 1859.

Description

H. bitorquatus may attain a total length of 90 cm (35 in), which includes a tail 9.5 cm (3.7 in) long. The top of the head is pale olive, with a bright yellow occipital blotch, which is edged with black. The body is dark olive dorsally, and may have a darker vertebral streak. Ventrally, it is greyish olive or brown.

Distribution and habitat

H. bitorquatus is found on the eastern coast of Australia, from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales. The preferred natural habitat of H. bitorquatus is forest.

Behaviour

H. bitorquatus is arboreal.

Diet

H. bitorquatus preys predominantly upon tree frogs, but also eats small lizards and small mammals.

Reproduction

H. bitorquatus is viviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Pale-headed Snake

Is the Pale-headed Snake venomous?: Yes. The Pale-headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) 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 Pale-headed Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pale-headed Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Pale-headed 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 Pale-headed Snake live?: The Pale-headed Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Pale-headed Snake eat?: H. bitorquatus preys predominantly upon tree frogs, but also eats small lizards and small mammals.

If you are bitten by the Pale-headed 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.

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: Hoplocephalus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Hoplocephalus bitorquatus

Keep learning

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