KING BROWN SNAKE Cannia australis (Gray, 1842)
The deadly King Brown Snake is actually a close relative of the Black Snakes. It averages about 1.8 metres in length, although specimens of nearly three metres are known. Colour varies through various shades of reds, browns, yellows and even nearly black. This thickly built snake is
found throughout most parts of Australia except for the far south and south east coastal regions. A bite from this snake, yields a greater quantity of venom than that of any other Australian snake.
The scalation is smooth with 17 mid body rows, 189-220 ventrals, divided anal, and 50-75 subcaudals of which about half are divided.
The King Brown Snake occurs in all types of habitat, but is most commonin dry woodland and arid habitats. It is diurnal in cold weather, and both diurnal and nocturnal in warm weather.
The King Brown Snake is not highly aggressive preferring to flee rather than bite when disturbed. This snake may flatten its' neck when harassed.
It feeds on a variety of vertebrates including other snakes. The venom of this snake seems to have a potent effect on other snakes, whilst the venom of other snakes appears to have no effect on this snake.
About twelve eggs are laid in summer. These take some 70 days to hatch with young measuring 25 cm.
King Brown Snake (Cannia) Taxonomy (as of 2001).
The above was from the book Australian Reptiles and Frogs by Raymond Hoser and now available on a fantastic CD-Rom along with a vast amount of other information, papers and the like on reptiles, frogs and other wildlife.