Survival Manual: Venomous Snakes and Mollusks (part 6)
Description: Reddish, yellowish, or brown color with distinct dark brown crossbands. The end of its tail is black, ending in a hard spine.
Characteristics: When aroused, this highly dangerous snake will flatten its entire body, ready to strike over a short distance. It is nocturnal, hiding by day and coming out to feed at night. Although it has the appearance of a viper, it is related to the cobra family. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin; it causes mortality in about 50 percent of its victims, even with treatment.
Habitat: Usually found in arid regions, fields, and wooded lands.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35 inches).
Distribution: Australia, New Guinea, and Moluccas [Figure E-45].
Description: Generally uniformly olive or dark brown, with a somewhat darker brown head.
Characteristics: Considered one of the most deadly snakes. It has an aggressive disposition. When aroused, it can display a fearsome appearance by flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and forth, and suddenly striking with such speed that the victim may receive several bites before it retreats. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin, causing respiratory paralysis. Its victim has little chance for recovery without prompt medical aid.
Habitat: At home in a variety of habitats, it is found from the savanna forests to the inland plains.
Length: Average 1.8 meters (6 feet), maximum 3.7 meters (12 feet).
Distribution: Northern Australia and southern New Guinea [Figure E-46].
Description: Olive to dark brown above with yellowish or olive belly and crossbands. The subspecies in Tasmania and Victoria is uniformly black.
Characteristics: It is the most dangerous snake in Australia. It is very common and bites many humans. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system. When aroused, it is aggressive and attacks any intruder. It flattens its neck, making a narrow band.
Habitat: Found in many habitats from arid regions to human settlements along waterways to grasslands.
Length: Average 1.2 meters (4 feet), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Distribution: Australia, Tasmania, Bass Strait islands, and New Guinea [Figure E-47].
VENOMOUS SEA SNAKES
Description: Smooth-scaled snake that is a pale shade of blue with black bands. Its oarlike tail provides propulsion in swimming.
Characteristics: Most active at night, swimming close to shore and at times entering tide pools. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are usually fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.
Length: Average 75 centimeters (30 inches), maximum 1.2 meters
(4 feet).
Distribution: Pacific Ocean coastal waters of Australia and southeast Asia; Indian Ocean coastal waters. [Figure E-48].
Description: Upper part of body is black or dark brown and lower part is bright yellow.
Characteristics: A highly venomous snake belonging to the cobra family. This snake is truly of the pelagic species—it never leaves the water to come to shore. It has an oarlike tail to aid its swimming. This species is quick to defend itself. Sea snakes do not really strike, but deliberately turn and bite if molested. A small amount of their neurotoxic venom can cause death.
Length: Average 0.7 meter (2 feet), maximum 1.1 meters (3 1/2 feet).
Distribution: Throughout the Pacific Ocean from many of the Pacific islands to Hawaii and to the coast of Central and South America [Figure E-49].
POISONOUS LIZARDS
Description: Robust, with a large head and a heavy tail. Its body is covered with beadlike scales. It is capable of storing fat against lean times when food is scarce. Its color is striking in rich blacks laced with yellow or pinkish scales.
Characteristics: Not an aggressive lizard, but ready to defend itself when provoked. If approached too closely, it will turn toward the intruder with its mouth open. If it bites, it hangs on tenaciously and must be pried off. Its venom glands and grooved teeth are on its bottom jaw.
Habitat: Found in arid areas, coming out at night or early morning hours in search of small rodents and bird eggs. During the heat of the day it stays under brush or rocks.
Length: Average 30 centimeters (12 inches), maximum 50 centimeters (20 inches).
Distribution: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, northern Mexico, and extreme corner of southeast California [Figure E-50].
/* Mexican beaded lizard */ /_ Heloderma horridum _/
Description: Less colorful than its cousin, the gila monster. It has black or pale yellow bands or is entirely black.
Characteristics: Very strong legs let this lizard crawl over rocks and dig burrows. It is short-tempered. It will turn and open its mouth in a threatening manner when molested. Its venom is hemotoxic and potentially dangerous to man.
Habitat: Found in arid or desert areas, often in rocky hillsides, coming out during evening and early morning hours.
Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35 inches).
Distribution: Mexico through Central America [Figure E-51].
