BROAD HEADED SNAKE Hoplocephalus bungaroides (Schlegel, 1837)
The Broad Headed Snake is restricted to the Hawksbury sandstone formations found within a 250 km radius of Sydney, NSW. This 60 cm snake is commonly confused with the harmless Diamond Python Morelia spilotes spilotes found in the same areas. A serious bite from this very aggressive snake may result in the need for anti-venom to be administered. Tiger Snake anti-venom is usually used to neutralize bites from this snake.
The scalation is smooth with 21 mid body rows, 200-221 ventrals, single anal, and 40-60 single subcaudals.
This species lives under large exfoliating slabs of sandstone, crevices and similar places. Because of the immense habitat destruction occurring throughout its' range this species is in serious decline. The stated policy of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to prevent any
captive breeding programs seems to be ensuring this snake a certain path towards extinction. This snake readily breeds in captivity.
Most specimens of this snake are found in suitable isolated habitat, during autumn and spring.
Broad Headed Snakes are mainly nocturnal although they are diurnal in mid winter, due to the fact that they are commonly found in cold places such as the ranges to the south and west of Sydney. Although opportunistic feeders, this species feeds mainly on Lesueur's Geckoes Oedura lesueurii in the wild.
Mating is in the cooler months, with 5-12 (usually about 6) live 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.