AROD > Reptiles / Squamata / Elapidae / Acanthophis /
Top End death adder |
Daly Waters, Northern Territory Photo © Stewart Macdonald |
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Acanthophis rugosus | ||||||
Pronunciation | AK-anth-OH-fiss rug-OH-suss | |||||
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Etymology |
Acanthophis: 'spine snake', refering to the spine at the tip of the tail.
rugosus: 'rough'. |
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Other names | ||||||
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Description | Distribution | Natural history | Conservation | Further information | More photos | |||||||||||||||
DescriptionA stocky and robust snake, similar to other Acanthophis species. Colour and pattern variable, but usually consisting of an alternating series of pale and dark cross-bands. These can range from alternating cream and brown bands, to yellow and red, or even grey and black - some specimens possess only faint banding. Similar species
Not easily distinguishabel from Barkly Death Adder (Acanthophis hawkei) and common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), with field identifications largely based on distribution. Taxonomic notesPreviously included within north-eastern death adder (Acanthophis praelongus), genetic evidence suggests that these adders are closely related and likely conspecific with A. rugosus from southern New Guinea (Wüster et al. 2005). Scale count information
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Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility. The author and site operator accepts no responsibility for any losses or damages incurred through using this web site or the information contained herein. Don't get bitten by anything! This page may be cited as: Acanthophis rugosus at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2019-05-07 14:06:32. Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Acanthophis+rugosus on the 29th of March, 2024. Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page. Copyright notice This page, its content and layout are copyright © 2007-2024 Stewart Macdonald / Ug Media, unless otherwise stated. All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer. No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald. |