Elapidae
Yellow-naped Snake
VenomousFurina barnardi
5 photographs of the Yellow-naped Snake. © Matthew Borella.
The Yellow-naped Snake (Furina barnardi) 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 Yellow-naped Snake
The yellow-naped snake (Furina barnardi), also known commonly as Barnard's snake, is a small species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northeastern Australia.
Etymology
The specific name, barnardi, is in honor of Australian zoologist Henry "Harry" Greensill Barnard (1869–1966).
Geographic range
F. barnardi is found in northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of F. barnardi are forest and rocky areas.
Description
The holotype of F. barnardi has a total length of 48 cm (19 in), which includes a tail 6 cm (2.4 in). In alcohol, the head and neck are blackish, with a yellowish patch on the nape of the neck. The body is uniformly reddish brown dorsally, and uniformly yellowish ventrally.
Behavior
A nocturnal species, F. barnardi shelters during the day under leaf litter and fallen logs, and in burrows and soil cracks.
Diet
F. barnardi preys upon skinks, especially those of the genus Sphenomorphus.
Reproduction
F. barnardi is oviparous. Clutch size is 7–10 eggs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Yellow-naped Snake
- Is the Yellow-naped Snake venomous?
- Yes. The Yellow-naped Snake (Furina barnardi) 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 Yellow-naped Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yellow-naped Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Yellow-naped 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 Yellow-naped Snake live?
- The Yellow-naped Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Yellow-naped Snake eat?
- F. barnardi preys upon skinks, especially those of the genus Sphenomorphus.
- Why is it called the Yellow-naped Snake?
- The specific name, barnardi, is in honor of Australian zoologist Henry "Harry" Greensill Barnard (1869–1966).
If you are bitten by the Yellow-naped Snake
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
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.
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.