Search AROD:
AROD > Reptiles / Squamata / Elapidae / Austrelaps

Copperheads
Austrelaps - Worrell, 1963

Pronunciation: ostr-EE-laps
Etymology: 'southern Elaps' - Elaps is another genus of snakes.

Taxonomic notes:

Notes: Article about copperhead venom
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Live-bearing - 3 out of 3 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis) at 84 cm
 Longest Australian species: lowlands copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) at up to 170 cm
Number of Australian species: 3
 

pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis)
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Photo © Rob Valentic
pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis) distribution range map Austrelaps labialis
Pygmy copperhead
Year described
(Jan 1859)
Description
Pale brown, grey to dark grey in colour; sometimes with a dark vertebral stripe and a dark bar on the nape; lips are heavily barred. Ventral colouration extremely variable.

highlands copperhead (Austrelaps ramsayi)
Wentworth Falls, New South Wales
Photo © Brendan Schembri
highlands copperhead (Austrelaps ramsayi) distribution range map Austrelaps ramsayi
Highlands copperhead
Year described
(Krefft 1864)
Description
Dark grey to reddish brown above with reddish flanks; lips heavily barred.

lowlands copperhead (Austrelaps superbus)
Phillip Island, Victoria
Photo © Ray Lloyd
lowlands copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) distribution range map Austrelaps superbus
Lowlands copperhead
Year described
(Günther 1858)
Description
Colouration is variable, ranging from black, grey, brown to reddish brown, becoming paler or more red to orange on flanks; lips weakly barred.

Home
AROD | Reptile Info | About | Contact | In the wild | Reviews