The Eastern brown snake (or Pseudonaja textilis) is a venomous species of reptile that lives in Australia and New Guinea. It prefers to live in dry areas so can be found in the grassland, scrubland and sparse forests. The snakes are pale to dark brown in colour, often with a paler underside, and they may have slightly darker brown mottling on their scales as camouflage. Eastern brown snakes usually measure between 1.5 and 2m in length, and the species is known for its defensive displays, whereby it will lift much of its head and body off the ground and coil it into an S-shape with its mouth open. These displays are often mistaken for aggression.
Latin Name
Pseudonaja textilis
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Animal Facts
Eastern brown snakes are the second-most venomous snake in the world.
The genus of brown snakes are the most common cause of snake bite deaths in Australia.
Eastern brown snakes hibernate in underground burrows during the winter.
Male brown snakes will fight over females, twisting themselves together tightly and attempting to force the other's head to the ground.
The Latin name for the Eastern brown snake is 'Pseudonaja' which translates to 'false cobra'.