Identification:  This death adder  is considerably variable throughout its distribution. Colours range from pale or dark grey, brown to reddish brown with a series of irregular narrow pale bands extend along the length of the adder. At the base of the head is often a broad dark V shape extending to the back of the neck. White or cream bars may be prominent on the lips and the belly is whitish, dotted with black or brown. 
The Common Death Adder has a very robust build and smooth scales. 

Call/Song:

The Common Death Adder is very widely distributed but is found in often unconnected populations throughout most of southern and eastern Australia.

Habitat:Survives in a wide variety of habitats including rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, woodlands, shrublands and coastal heathlands.

Feeding:  Death adders feed on reptiles, small mammals, birds and frogs. Death adders also have a unique method of ambushing its prey. The adder will lie still, half buried in sand, leafs or underneath lowhanging foliage. The snake's body is loosely coiled with the tail not far from the snout. On approach of potential prey, the death adder will wiggle its tail, mimicking a worm or caterpillar. On approach of the prey, the snake will strike at lightning speed.

Breeding/Nesting:   The Common Death Adder is a livebearer with females appearing to reproduce twice a year with litters ranging from 2 to 33 young.

Movement:  While not a particularly aggressive snake, the death adder does not move when approaced and lies perfectly still on the forest floor camoflaged amongst the leaf litter. If threatened, the death adder will flatten its body and hold it in a rigid coil and may then strike repeatedly. Its fangs are long and capable of administering large quanitities of powerfully neurotoxic venom. The Common Death Adder is considered dangerously venomous.

Photo:  Queensland DEH

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Queensland Museum (1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

 Wilson, S.K. & Knowles, D.G. (1988)
A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia, Collins Publishers, Australia.