Can You Identify These Australian Snakes?

By: Khadija Leon
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These Australian Snakes?
Image: Kristian Bell / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Australia is notorious for being the home of some of the most deadly snakes on earth, and while it may be true, fatalities are not as common as you think because antivenom for these bites is widely available around the country. 

Although many would like to believe that they are confined to the desert and jungle regions of the country, snake sightings are quite common even near large cities and homes in the suburbs, usually around where their main source of food can be found. Snakes like the eastern brown snake, the inland taipan, the common death adder, the red-bellied black snake, the mulga snake, the lowland copperhead, and the small-eyed snake are all well-known because of their deadliness, but what about the others? 

There are approximately 160 snake species found on the continent and its neighboring islands, but how well do you know them? If you were given images of some of these creatures, would you be able to correctly identify them? There is only one way to find out if you are an Australian snake expert and that is by taking this quiz.

Inland taipan
Jack Reynolds / Moment Open / Getty Images
This snake's venom is able to kill 100 fully grown adults. What is its name?
Cottonmouth
Inland taipan
Jameson's mamba
Reticulated python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The inland taipan, also called the western taipan and small-scaled snake, is a venomous snake which is endemic to the arid regions of Australia. First described back in 1879, it is the most venomous snake in the world and one bite can kill at least 100 adult men.

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Common tree snake
Theo Allofs / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which of the following is the name of the non-venomous snake?
Atlantic bushmaster
Rinkhals
Common tree snake
Green anaconda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common tree snake is a non-venomous snake which can be found in the coastal regions of north and east Australia, as well as Papua New Guinea. The common snake can be found in varying shades of green with pale yellow on its throat and body.

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Mainland tiger snake
Wiki Commons by Teneche
One of these snakes can be found in the southern region of Australia. What is it called?
Mainland tiger snake
Eyelash viper
Russell's viper
Black mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tiger snake is a species of highly venomous snake which can be found in the southern regions of Australia as well as a few of the coastal islands. Although they vary in color, they are all banded, much like that of a tiger.

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Rough-scaled snake
Henry Cook / Moment / Getty Images
The snake shown in this image is known for its crossband pattern. What is it called?
Copperhead
Western green mamba
Rattlesnake
Rough-scaled snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rough-scaled snake is a species of venomous snake which is named because some of its scales are raised, giving it a rough texture. The snakes are brown to olive in color with narrow crossbands or blotches of a darker shade of brown. They can be found from far north Queensland to mid-eastern New South Wales.

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Eastern brown snake
Richard Sharrocks / Moment / Getty Images
One of these Australian snakes is one of the deadliest​ in the world. What is it called?
Pigmy rattlesnake
Eastern brown snake
Cape cobra
Texas coral snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern brown snake, also called the common brown snake, is a snake which can be found in the dense forests of central Australia and southern New Guinea. The snake, which is considered to be the 2nd most venomous land snakes in the world, can grow to a length exceeding 7 feet.

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Collett's snake
Wiki Commons by Taipan198
____________________ is also known by the name Down's tiger snake.
Mottled rock rattlesnake
Dugite
Collett's snake
Gaboon viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Collett’s snake, also called Down’s tiger snake, is a species of venomous snakes which is native to Australia. Despite not being one of the most venomous snakes there, bites can cause acute renal failure, which can later lead to death.

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Mulga snake
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
The snake seen in the image was first described in 1842. What is it called?
Mulga snake
Common lancehead
Fea's viper
Belcher sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mulga snake, also called the king brown snake, is a species of venomous snake which was first described back in 1842 in Australia. The color of the snake differs from place to place, but they can all grow to lengths exceeding 9 feet, with an average of 5 feet.

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Yellow-bellied sea snake
Nastasic / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Which of these snakes is also referred to as the pelagic sea snake?
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Malayan pit viper
Lowlands copperhead
Indigo snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The yellow-bellied sea snake, which is sometimes called the pelagic sea snake, is a species of snake which are found in tropical waters around the world, but many have been reported around Australia. While diving, this species can take up to 33% of its oxygen through its skin.

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Woma python
Nathan Shepard / Moment Open / Getty Images
__________________ is also known as Ramsay's python.
Mamushi
Gray-banded kingsnake
Annulated sea snake
Woma python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The woma python, also known as Ramsay’s python, is a species of snakes which are endemic to Australia, where it is most commonly found in the western states of the country. The snakes are highly sought after in the exotic pet trade despite not adapting well to being held in captivity.

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Coastal taipan
Henry Cook / Moment / Getty Images
What is the name of the snake which can be found in the northern and eastern parts of Australia, as well as the island of New Guinea?
Levantine viper
Coastal taipan
Western brown snake
Milk snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coastal taipan, also known as the common taipan, is a species of large venomous snakes which are native to northern and eastern Australia, as well as the island of New Guinea. The snake has been listed as the third most venomous land snake in the world.

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Marsh snake
Wiki Commons by Doug Beckers
This snake is also called the black-bellied swamp snake. What is its proper name?
Urutu
Speculated cobra
Marsh snake
Northern water snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The black-bellied swamp snake, also known as marsh snake, is a species of venomous snake endemic to the east coast of Australia. The snake’s color ranges from pale olive to black, and they have two distinctive narrow white lines on its face.

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Western brown snake
Wiki Commons by Scarlet23
Which of these snakes is also known as 'guarder'?
Western brown snake
Common night adder
Death adder
Gopher snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The western brown snake, also called gwardar, is a species of fast-moving venomous snakes which is native to Australia. The word ‘gwardar’ means “go the long way around” and has been said to be advice for people who come across the snake while in the wild.

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Suta suta
Wiki Commons by Christopher Watson / http://www.comebirdwatching.blogspot.com/
The snake in the image grows to a maximum length of 24 inches. What is it called?
Caspian cobra
Jararacussu
Suta suta
Redbelly snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Suta suta, also called the curled snake, is a species of venomous snakes which is native to Australia. They grow to a maximum length of 24 inches, and it is known for its dark brown to reddish brown color.

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Beaked sea snake
Wiki Commons by Vikramonice
There is a snake in this list which is also referred to as the hook-nosed sea snake. Which one is it?
Indian krait
White-lipped pit viper
Beaked sea snake
Short-tailed snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The beaked sea snake, also called the hook-nosed sea snake, is a species of sea snakes which are found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean around Australia and New Guinea. The species is highly venomous and can cause death if antivenom is not administered.

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Children's python
EdgarCurious / Pixabay
This snake was named after the zoologist who first described it. What is​ its name?
Boomslang
Children's python
Speckled brown snake
Mexican blackhead snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Children’s python is a species of nonvenomous snakes which is named after John George Children, a zoologist who described many species. The snake feeds on many small mammals and birds by first constricting it then swallowing it whole.

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Broad-headed snake
Kristian Bell / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which of these snakes can be found in New South Wales?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Broad-headed snake
Mohave rattlesnake
Butler's garter snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The broad-headed snake is a venomous snake which can only be found in New South Wales, Australia. Now listed as vulnerable, the species faces habitat loss from urbanization, illegal rock removal, and it is also kept in reptile collections.

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White-lipped snake
Wiki Commons by John Wombey, CSIRO
One of these snakes can be found near the cold regions of Mount Kosciuszko. What is it called?
Sharp nosed viper
Black mamba
Eastern coral snake
White-lipped snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The white-lipped snake is a small species of snakes which are endemic to the south-eastern mainland of Australia and the island of Tasmania. They grow to an average length of 16 inches and can be found in regions as cold as above the snow line of Mount Kosciuszko.

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Common death adder
Janette Asche / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which of these snakes is one of the most venomous in the country?
Common death adder
Elegant sea snake
Olive brown sea snake
Yellow-belly sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common death adder is a species of death adder found in Australia where it is one of the most venomous snakes in the country. The snake is facing an increased threat from the invasion of the cane toad as it eats young snakes, and the adults who eat it are poisoned from the toxic glands in their skin.

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Black-headed python
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
__________________ is the name of the snake which can grow to 11 feet long?
Copperhead
Common European adder
Cottonmouth
Black-headed python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The black-headed python, so named because of the color of its head, is a species of snake which is native to Australia. The adults usually grow to lengths between 5 and 6.5 feet, but can also grow to 11 feet. They are powerful swimmers, but they are rarely found in water.

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Olive python
John Crux Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
What is the name of the snake which waits near trails to ambush its prey?
Wagler's pit viper
Olive python
Chinese cobra
Red diamond rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The olive python, so named because of its color, is a species of python which are found in Australia. The snake, whose diet consists of mammals, reptiles and small birds, like to wait near animal trails where it can easily ambush its prey.

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Lowland copperhead
Wiki Commons by SunOfErat
This snake has a potent neurotoxin in its venom. What is it called?
Sidewinder rattlesnake
Indochinese spitting cobra
Lowland copperhead
Red diamond rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lowland copperhead is a venomous snake species which can be found in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. Its venom contains a potent neurotoxin which is capable of killing an adult human if the correct first aid is not administered in due time.

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Yellow-faced whip snake
Wiki Commons by Will Brown
Which one of these snakes comes from one of the most venomous snake families in the world?
Yellow-faced whip snake
Central African gaboon viper
Indian krait
Rodgenose rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The yellow-faced whip snake is a species of venomous snakes from one of the most venomous snake families in the country. The snake is green to grey in color with black and yellow markings on its head and face.

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Red-bellied black snake
Corey Hayes / Moment Open / Getty Images
One of these snakes was first described by George Shae in 1794. What is it called?
Puff viper
Mocled cobra
Pigmy rattlesnake
Red-bellied black snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red-bellied black snake is a species of snakes which were first described by George Shaw in 1794. The snake is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Australia and although it is not aggressive, it will attack if it feels threatened.

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Carpet python
Kazzaz Photography / Moment / Getty Images
What is the name of the snake which is also known as the diamond python?
Jararaca
Forest cobra
Carpet python
Massasauga
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The carpet python, also known as the diamond python, is a large species of snakes which can be found in Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Growing to lengths exceeding 13 feet, there are currently 6 subspecies, all of which can be found there.

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Brown tree snake
Wiki Commons by Pavel Kirillov
____________________ is native to the coastal regions of Australia.
Small scaled burrowing asp
Tiger rattlesnake
Northern copperhead
Brown tree snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The brown tree snake is a tree-dwelling, rear-fanged snake which is native to the coastal regions of Australia, eastern Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The snake has been called an invasive species in Guam where it is a danger to the native bird population.

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Bandy-bandy
Wiki Commons by Will Brown
Which of these snakes is named because it has alternating​ black and white bands on its body?
Bandy-bandy
Timber rattlesnake
Saw-scaled viper
Eastern garter snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bandy-bandy, also called the hoop snake, is a species of weakly venomous snake which is endemic to Australia. The snake is so-named because it is marked with alternating black and white or yellow rings with smooth and glossy scales.

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Dugite
Wiki Commons by Bradford G. Jones
Which of these snakes has one of the most lethal venoms in the world?
Banded krait
Northern Philippine cobra
Dugite
Shorthead garter snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dugite is a species of venomous snakes which are native to Western Australia. The snake is grey, green, or brown in color with black scales scattered all over its body, and it can grow to up to 6.5 feet in length. Its venom is one of the most lethal in the world, with death occurring soon after.

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Spotted mulga snake
Adam Brice via YouTube
The snake shown here comes from the Pseudechis genus. What is it called?
Eastern green mamba
Spotted mulga snake
Black-banded sea krait
Northern ring-necked snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spotted mulga snake is a species of venomous snake which is endemic to Western Australia. It belongs to a genus of snakes (Pseudechis) known for raising its head and presenting its hood in order to intimidate opponents.

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Coastal carpet python
Henry Cook / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these snakes is also known as the McDowell's carpet python?
Horned viper
Mainland tiger snake
Eastern milksnake
Coastal carpet python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coastal carpet python, also called McDowell’s carpet python is species of snakes which can be found along the northeastern coast of Australia and New Guinea. The snakes, which can be found residing in the roofs of houses, can grow to lengths between 9 to 10 feet.

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Southern dwarf crowned snake
Tony Harrison via YouTube
Only one of these snakes was named after the naturalist Gerald Krefft. Which one is it?
Southern dwarf crowned snake
Mexican west coast rattlesnake
Beaked sea snake
Smooth greensnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dwarf crowned snake, sometimes called the Krefft’s dwarf snake after the naturalist Gerald Krefft, is a species of venomous snake endemic to Australia. They are weakly venomous and are not considered to be a danger to humans, but medical attention should still be sought after.

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Blue-bellied black snake
John Morrison via YouTube
What is the snake which is also referred to as the spotted black snake?
Red-bellied black snake
Coastal taipan
Blue-bellied black snake
Eastern hog-nosed snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blue-bellied black snake, sometimes called the spotted black snake, is a species of snakes found in southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Bites from this snake can cause nausea, vomiting and local swelling.

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Red-naped snake
Wiki Commons by Alexandre Roux
Which of these snakes feeds daily on a small reptile called skink?
Taiwanese krait
Red-naped snake
Collett's snake
Northern water snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red-naped snake is a species of venomous snakes found in four Australian states, with it being listed as threatened in one of them. They are nocturnal creatures which feed mainly on a small reptile known as a skink.

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Oenpelli python
JDD199 via YouTube
___________________ is the name of the snake which is endemic to the Arnhem land region?
Mulga snake
Yellowbelly sea snake
Northern black racer
Oenpelli python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Oenpelli python is a large species of python which are endemic to the Arnhem land region in North Australia. The adults can grow to 13 feet in length and this snake is also able to change their skin coloration, depending on the time of day.

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Bardick
Wiki Commons by Rémi Bigonneau
What is the name of this venomous snake?
Clarence river snake
Dubois sea snake
Queensnake
Bardick
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bardick is a species of mildly venomous snake which is endemic to the semiarid grasslands and shrublands of Australia. These nocturnal animals have a solid tan, brown, or grey body, with its head being a darker shade of the body.

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Golden-crowned snake
Wiki Commons by Tnarg 12345
One of these snakes rears into an S shape when it feels​ threatened. What is it called?
Blue-bellied black snake
Golden-crowned snake
Eastern brown snake
Northern brown snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The golden-crowned snake is small species of venomous snakes which are endemic to and can be found in the deep forest and mountain slopes of Australia. When threatened, the snake rears into an S shape and displays a bright orange pigmentation.

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Stimson's python
Wiki Commons by Christopher Watson
This snake is commonly kept as a pet. Do you know what it is called?
Stimson's python
Black-necked spitting cobra
Inland taipan
Eastern wormsnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stimson’s python is a species of python which is endemic to Australia where many people keep them as pets. Named after Lawrence Alec Smith who first described it, these nonvenomous snakes kill their prey by constricting them.

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Narrow-banded burrowing snake
Wiki Commons by Atlas of Living Australia
Which of these snakes is also called the narrow banded shovel-nosed snake?
Kirtland's snake
Stephen's banded snake
Narrow-banded burrowing snake
Rinkhals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The narrow-banded snake, also called the narrow banded shovel-nosed snake, is a small snake which can be found near coastal dunes and woodlands in Australia. Their stout bodies enable them to burrow in the ground/sand either to find food or hide from predators.

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Grey snake
Tony Harrison via YouTube
The snake in the image can be found in New South Wales and Queensland. What is its name?
Eastern coralsnake
Grey snake
Death adder
Mountain earth snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The grey snake is a species of snakes which can be found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Mostly active at night, they have been listed as endangered in some parts of the country because of predation and land cultivation.

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Little whip snake
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
What is the name of the snake which grows to 20 inches in length?
Congo water cobra
Western brown snake
Eastern smooth snake
Little whip snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The little whipsnake is a venomous snake which can be found in the stony hills of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. They grow up to 20 inches in length and are cream in color with a black hourglass-shaped patch on their head.

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Speckled brown snake
Wiki Commons by Paskual13
Which of these snakes was first described in 1926?
Speckled brown snake
King cobra
Fea's viper
Mojave rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The speckled brown snake is a species of venomous snake which is native to northeastern Australia. First described in 1926, these snakes have a small head, yellow to orange upper parts, white throat and lips, yellow to white under parts, and its scales have black edges visible only when its moves.

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