Ringed brown snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ringed brown snake |
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| P. modesta in Northern Territory, Australia | |
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The ringed brown snake (Pseudonaja modesta) is a fascinating snake found in the dry, open areas of inland Australia. It's a type of venomous snake, but it's known for being quite shy and usually doesn't bite people. You can find it across a large part of Australia, from western New South Wales and Queensland all the way to Western Australia.
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Discovering the Ringed Brown Snake
This snake was first described by a scientist named Albert Günther in 1872. He called it Cacophis modesta after finding some snakes in northwestern Australia. The name modesta comes from a Latin word meaning "unassuming" or "well-behaved." This name fits the snake well because it generally avoids biting people.
Over the years, other scientists gave this snake different names, thinking they were new species. For example, Charles Walter De Vis described Brachysoma sutherlandi in 1884, and William Macleay described Furina ramsayi in 1885. However, scientists later realized that all these names were for the same snake!
What Does It Look Like?
The ringed brown snake is a fairly small snake, usually growing to about 50 cm (20 in) long. Its body can be grey-brown or reddish-brown. One of its most interesting features is its black head and neck, which are separated by a creamy-colored band.
Along its body, it has four to seven black bands with cream edges, spaced out regularly. These dark bands might fade a bit as the snake gets older. Its belly is usually cream or yellow with orange spots. Sometimes, its colors and markings, especially the black head and neck band, can make it look a bit like a young eastern brown snake.
Where Does It Live?
The ringed brown snake loves dry places! It lives in arid (very dry) regions across inland Australia, though you won't find it in Victoria. It prefers areas with shrubs or grasslands. It often hides in tough, spiky grass called spinifex or under fallen tree branches and logs. These hiding spots help it stay safe from predators and the hot sun.
Is It Dangerous?
While the ringed brown snake is venomous, it's generally not considered very dangerous to humans. It's known for being quite calm and usually tries to avoid people. There was a case in 1987 where a girl was bitten by this snake, but she only had mild symptoms and recovered well. This snake is much less likely to cause serious harm compared to some other venomous snakes.
