Marsh Snake

Marsh snake

(Hemiaspis signata)

Other common names: Black-bellied Swamp Snake, Swamp Snake and Grass Snake.

Significance to Humans: Mildly Venomous
Bites from this species have been known to cause severe local symptoms such as pain & swelling, with more general reactions such as headaches and nausea also recorded. All bites should still be treated immediately and attended to with correct first aid.

General description: Fairly uniform brown, olive or black above with dark grey or black belly surface. Two prominent narrow pale-yellowish stripes on each side of face, one running from snout, through eye and onto neck area, & one below eye running from snout to corner of mouth. In juveniles the head is often darker than the body. Scales smooth. Midbody scales at 17 rows.

Average Length: 50cm with occasional specimens nearing 70cm.

Habitat in SE Qld: Rainforest & moist well-vegetated areas such as wet sclerophyll forest, margins of creeks, dams, wetlands & low-lying seasonally flooded areas.

General habits: Diurnal, although may also be active at night in hot weather. Shelters under rocks, sheets of bark and thick debris.

Diet: Small frogs and lizards.

Local distribution: Found in a “moister” suburbs usually with riparian habitats nearby.

Around the home: May be found in damp or moist gardens under timber, sheets of iron & foraging amongst thick vegetation.

Photo Gallery

Please be patient while our image gallery loads. If viewing images in the lightbox viewer by clicking on an image, please allow a few second between each image as some images are large to retain their quality and size. Images are loaded straight from Dropbox, if blank spaces appear in gallery please click on the refresh icon, top left of gallery.
All image are the property of the website or respected owner and can not be re-used without permisson. Copyright applies