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Elapidae

Rough-scaled Snake

Venomous

Tropidechis carinatus

Rough-scaled Snake
Tropidechis carinatus, © Ryan van Huyssteen
Rough-scaled SnakeRough-scaled SnakeRough-scaled SnakeRough-scaled SnakeRough-scaled Snake

6 photographs of the Rough-scaled Snake. © Ryan van Huyssteen.

The Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) 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 Rough-scaled Snake

The rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinatus) is a highly venomous Australian elapid. The animal's name comes from its scales that are raised above the surrounding scales and have rough texture. The scales are known as "keels".

Taxonomy

A 2016 genetic analysis showed that the closest relative of the rough-scaled snake is the tiger snake (Notechis spp.).

Description

The snake is brown to olive with narrow, irregular cross-bands or blotches of darker brown. The belly surfaces are greenish-grey or olive-cream, often with darker blotches. The mid-body scales have a raised keel or carinated appearance. The coloration and scale structure has led to some confusion with the non venomous keelback snake. It grows to around 70 cm in length.

Habitat

The snake's habitat includes rainforests, moist open air forests and waterways. It is found from mid-eastern New South Wales to the tip of far-north Queensland.

Behaviour

The snake is active both day and night. It can climb trees in pursuit of prey. The rough-scaled snake is highly venomous and will readily bite if attacked or handled.

Diet

The snake eats a variety of small vertebrates; frogs, lizards, small mammals, birds. It generally forages at ground level but can climb to take prey.

Venom

The rough-scaled snake is a highly venomous snake. Its venom is a fast acting powerful neurotoxin that has potent post-synaptic neurotoxins as well as potent pre-synaptic neurotoxins. It also has potent coagulants as well as myotoxins. It will readily bite and is known for its foul disposition and defensive nature. Several fatalities have occurred due to this species and it will strike rapidly in defense.

Reference list

https://web.archive.org/web/20110608192952/http://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/old/snakes/Tropidechis/Tropidechis.html

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rough-scaled Snake

Is the Rough-scaled Snake venomous?
Yes. The Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) 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 Rough-scaled Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Rough-scaled Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Rough-scaled 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 Rough-scaled Snake live?
The Rough-scaled Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Rough-scaled Snake eat?
The snake eats a variety of small vertebrates; frogs, lizards, small mammals, birds. It generally forages at ground level but can climb to take prey.

If you are bitten by the Rough-scaled 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
Tropidechis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Tropidechis carinatus

Keep learning

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