Lowland copperhead

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Highly venomous snake native to southeastern Australia including Tasmania

title: "Lowland copperhead" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["austrelaps", "reptiles-of-tasmania", "reptiles-described-in-1858", "taxa-named-by-albert-günther", "reptiles-of-victoria-(state)", "snakes-of-australia", "reptiles-of-new-south-wales"] description: "Highly venomous snake native to southeastern Australia including Tasmania" topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowland_copperhead" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Highly venomous snake native to southeastern Australia including Tasmania ::

| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | name = Lowland copperhead | image = LowlandcopperheadMullawallah.jpg | image_caption = lowland copperhead, Mullawallah Wetland | genus = Austrelaps | species = superbus | authority = (Günther, 1858) | synonyms_ref= | synonyms = Hoplocephalus superbus Günther, 1858 Denisonia superba – Boulenger, 1896

The lowland copperhead or lowlands copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) is a venomous snake species in the family Elapidae, found in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is commonly referred to as the copperhead, but is not closely related to the American copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix. If provoked, the lowland copperhead is a dangerous snake with neurotoxic venom, which can kill an adult human if correct first aid is not applied promptly.

Description

The lowland copperhead is generally 1-1.5 m (3–5 feet) long. Their colour varies a great deal, from a coppery mid-brown to yellowish, reddish, grey or black. The copper head colouring that gave rise to the common name is not always present. Its venom has been measured at 0.5 mg/kg subcutaneous.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. A. superbus has a preference for areas of low vegetation near water bodies where it hunts for frogs, lizards and snakes, including smaller specimens of its own species.

Venom

The venom of lowland copperhead contains postsynaptic neurotoxins. There have been a dozen reported bites from this species, with one fatality.

References

References

  1. (2018). "''Austrelaps superbus''". [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]].
  2. Australian Biological Resources Study. (22 August 2013). "Species ''Austrelaps superbus'' (Günther, 1858)". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government.
  3. [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/reptile/Cop.html TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania – Lowland Copperhead]. Parks.tas.gov.au (2008-07-11). Retrieved on 2013-01-03.
  4. Cogger, H.G. (1979). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia''. Reed: Sydney. {{ISBN. 0-589-50108-9
  5. link. (2011-08-23 . Parks.tas.gov.au (2008-07-11). Retrieved on 2013-01-03.)
  6. (2008). "A record of Austrelaps superbus (Günther, 1858)(Reptilia: Elapidae) from Leura, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia with a description of its habitat". Calodema.
  7. (2005). "Venomous Snakes of the World". New Holland Publishers Ltd.

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austrelapsreptiles-of-tasmaniareptiles-described-in-1858taxa-named-by-albert-güntherreptiles-of-victoria-(state)snakes-of-australiareptiles-of-new-south-wales