Is the White-crowned Snake venomous?

Yes. The White-crowned Snake (Cacophis harriettae) 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 White-crowned Snake poisonous?

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

Where does the White-crowned Snake live?

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

Elapidae

White-crowned Snake

Venomous

Cacophis harriettae

White-crowned Snake — Cacophis harriettae, © brandon_hewitt

4 photographs of the White-crowned Snake. © brandon_hewitt.

The White-crowned Snake (Cacophis harriettae) 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 White-crowned Snake

Cacophis harriettae, also known commonly as Harriett's snake, the white-crowned snake, and the white-naped snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Etymology

The specific epithet, harriettae, honours natural history illustrator Harriet Scott, who illustrated Gerard Krefft's The Snakes of Australia, including this species.

Description

C. hariettae grows to an average total length (including tail) of 40 cm (16 in), and a maximum total length of 56 cm (22 in). The upper surface of the body is dark grey to black, with broad white bands extending from the snout along the sides of the head to meet at the nape.

Reproduction

C. hariettae is oviparous, with an average clutch size of five (range 2–10).

Diet

C. hariettae preys upon on lizards, and also eats reptile eggs.

Geographic range

The distribution of C. hariettae extends from Mount Abbott, near Proserpine in eastern Queensland, south-eastwards to north-eastern New South Wales.

Habitat

C. harriettae occurs in moist habitats, including rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests as well as suburban gardens.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: White-crowned Snake

Is the White-crowned Snake venomous?: Yes. The White-crowned Snake (Cacophis harriettae) 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 White-crowned Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-crowned Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the White-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 White-crowned Snake live?: The White-crowned Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the White-crowned Snake eat?: C. hariettae preys upon on lizards, and also eats reptile eggs.
Why is it called the White-crowned Snake?: The specific epithet, harriettae, honours natural history illustrator Harriet Scott, who illustrated Gerard Krefft's The Snakes of Australia, including this species.

If you are bitten by the White-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.

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 harriettae

Keep learning

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