exotic-venom:Austrelaps labialis Identification Family: Elapidae Scientific Names: Alect
exotic-venom: Austrelaps labialis Identification Family: Elapidae Scientific Names: Alecto labialis, Austrelaps superbus (in part), Denisonia superba [Some suthorities consider this to be a junior synonym of A. superbus.] Common Names: Pygmy Copperhead Description Small, cylindrical, smooth-scaled Elapid, adults seldonm more than about 80 cm long. Body medium to dark brown above, lighter brown to grayish-brown belly, usually 17 midbody dorsal scale rows, head somewhat pointed. Looks very similar to A. superbus, but quite a bit smaller. Habitat Found in marshes, grasslands, & fairly open woodlands; most often found near water; limited to South Australia. Activity and Behavior Mainly terrestrial, mainly diurnal butalso active after dark in warmer months. Behavior & activity very similar to A. superbus. Ovoviviparous, litter size not reported. Preys mainly on frogs, lizards & small mammals. Venom Characteristics Not well studied, but probably mainly neurotoxic. Reports of human envenomations (and even some deaths) are not well documented, but the toxicity of venom of related species implies these could be a serious health risk to humans. -- source link
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