Furina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Furina |
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| Red-naped snake (Furina diadema) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Subfamily: | Hydrophiinae |
| Genus: | Furina A.M.C. Duméril, 1853 |
Furina is a group of small, venomous snakes found only in Australia. These snakes are also known as "elapids." This means they belong to a special family of snakes that have fixed fangs at the front of their mouths. There are five different types, or species, of Furina snakes. All of them live naturally only in Australia.
Contents
What are Furina Snakes?
Furina snakes are part of the Elapidae family. This family includes many well-known venomous snakes like cobras and mambas. Furina snakes are generally small. They have smooth scales and often have a distinct pattern on their heads or necks. Their colors can vary, but they are usually shades of brown, grey, or black.
Where do Furina Snakes Live?
All Furina species are endemic to Australia. This means they are found nowhere else in the world. They live in different parts of Australia, from Queensland in the northeast to Victoria in the south. Some species can also be found in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. One species, the Brown-headed snake, also lives on islands in the Torres Strait and parts of Papua New Guinea.
What do Furina Snakes Eat?
Furina snakes are mostly active at night. They are predators that hunt other small animals. Their diet mainly includes small lizards and other small snakes. They use their venom to catch and overpower their prey.
Are Furina Snakes Dangerous?
Yes, Furina snakes are venomous. This means they produce a special liquid called venom that they use to hunt. While they are venomous, they are generally not considered highly dangerous to humans. They are shy snakes and usually try to avoid people. If they feel threatened, they might bite. However, their bites are not usually life-threatening for humans. If someone is bitten by any snake, it's always important to get medical help right away.
Species of Furina
There are five recognized species within the Furina genus. Each species has its own unique features and geographic range within Australia.
| Species | Common name | Geographic range |
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| F. barnardi | Yellow-naped snake | Australia (north-east Queensland, from Port Curtis in the south to Cape York Peninsula) |
| F. diadema | Red-naped snake | Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria) |
| F. dunmalli | Dunmall's snake | Australia (south-east Queensland) |
| F. ornata | Orange-naped snake | Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia) |
| F. tristis | Brown-headed snake | Australia (Queensland, Cape York Peninsula), Islands of Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea (south-east Irian Jaya) |
- Genus Furina at The Reptile Database
