BLACK WHIP SNAKE Demansia atra (Macleay, 1884)
Found along the coast and nearby areas of north and north east Australia, the Black Whip Snake attains about a metre in length, although Worrell, (1970) records a specimen of nearly two meters. The colour ranges from light olive brown to black.
The scalation is smooth with 15 mid body rows, 160-220 ventrals, divided anal, and 70-95 divided subcaudals.
The Black Whip Snake is allegedly one of Australia's fastest moving snakes.
Diurnal in habits this species is most common in dry rocky and woodland habitats. When inactive this species hides under ground litter and is particularly fond of sheet metal. It feeds principally on lizards which it actively chases. Male combat is known to occur in this species.
From 4 to 13 eggs are produced. Hatchlings measure about 16 cm.

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.