PALE HEADED SNAKE Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (Jan, 1859)
Found along the coast ranges slopes and adjacent plains of NSW from Ourimbah and Dubbo in the south, to the bottom of Cape York in North Queensland, the potentially dangerous Pale Headed snake attains 50 cm although specimens of nearly a metre are known.
The scalation is smooth with 19-21 mid body rows, 190-225 ventrals, single anal, and 40-65 single subcaudals. Although found in a variety of habitats this snake is most common in dry woodland habitats. It is a nocturnal tree dweller and most specimens are caught either resting or moving on tree trunks.
Like all snakes of the genus Hoplocephalus, this snake is highly aggressive and when cornered will raise the forepart of its' body into a series of S-shaped curves from which it will repeatedly strike at anything that comes within range.
Although not generally regarded as dangerous, children and elderly people may be at risk from the bite of this and other snakes of the genus Hoplocephalus.
The Pale Headed Snake feeds on a range of vertebrates. Mating is in the cooler months with 2-11 (average 5) young being produced in mid summer.
The young measure 16 cm at birth.
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.