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Western brown snake

western brown snake (Pseudonaja mengdeni)
Leinster, Western Australia
Photo © Jordan Vos
Pseudonaja mengdeni - Wells & Wellington, 1985
Pronunciation  SUE-doh-NAY-ah   MENG-den-ee
Etymology  Pseudonaja: 'false Naja', after a genus of cobra.
mengdeni: presumably after G. Mengden.
Other names  Mengden's brown snake
Gwardar
 
 
Total length
Species avg: 100 cm
Reproduction
Oviparous
Clutch size
Length and clutch size information comes from a variety of sources, but primarily from Shine (1991) and Cogger (2000).
Description Distribution Natural history Conservation Further information More photos

Description

General occurs in one of two colour forms: orange with black head, or 'pale head, grey nape'.1

Similar species

Northern brown snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) - P. mengdeni typically exhibits fewer dorsal scale rows at the level of the first ventral (19-24 rows) and one head length posterior to the occiput (17-19 rows) than P. nuchalis; snout is rounded in P. mengdeni, chisel-shaped in P. nuchalis1

Shield-snouted brown snake (Pseudonaja aspidorhyncha) - has pale whitish grey mouth lining1

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Wells & Wellington in 1985.2

Scale count information


Dorsal scales at midbody   17
Ventrals   193 to 224 with a divided anal scale
Subcaudals   49 to 64 and are divided
Other scale information  
Danger rating  
Note: even a bite from a 'virtually harmless' or non-venomous reptile can result in serious complications. Play it safe and don't get bitten by anything.
Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility.
The author and site operator accepts no responsibility for any losses or damages incurred through using this web site or the information contained herein. Don't get bitten by anything!
This page may be cited as:
  Pseudonaja mengdeni at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2017-02-23 15:18:38.
  Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Pseudonaja+mengdeni on the 29th of March, 2024.
Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page.

Copyright notice
This page, its content and layout are copyright © 2007-2024 Stewart Macdonald / Ug Media, unless otherwise stated.
All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer.
No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald.
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