Adelaide Hills Pygmy Copperhead.

[imported_Varanus]

A callout from yesterday arvo revealled this lovely little beastie! I was chuffed to say the least!!

More pics to follow as my camera ran out of battery after these pics (Murphy's Law).

Anyway, hope these will suffice.

 

[Swampdonkey]

last time I saw one of these little guys was up at Picadilly. was removing an old fence line which was overgrown with blackberries. digging out a post by hand, I brought up a juvie in a handful of dirt. Luckily iy was a cold miserable day or the out come could have been nasty. They are a beautiful snake and it was a pleasure to place it in a tub until it warmed enough to be feisty and then release it into another patch of blackberries on the same property.

 

[imported_Varanus]

Feed pic from a mobile (crazy blurry). Prey item was gone in 60 seconds!

 

[Bushman]

Austrelaps labialis

That's a great find! I've never seen this species in the wild nor anyone else I know.
Austrelaps labialis is a very secretive species with a very limited distribution though, so it's not surprising that not many herpers have seen them in the wild.
For those interested, labialis means 'notably lipped' referring to the prominent labial markings.

 

[imported_Varanus]

An apt description. I first got the definite nod on ID when I shone my LED pencil torch between the two boulders it was sheltering under and saw the barred lips!

Aren't the two larger Austrelaps now regarded as the same genetically speaking? These remind me very much of dwarf Highland Copperheads.

 

[PieBald]

Are you keeping it?

 

[imported_Varanus]

Are you keeping it?

Being a "vulnerable" species and a wild capture, my licence conditions wont allow this. I am, however, temporarily holding the animal for a captive breeding program with a suitably qualified/ licenced authority. Wouldn't mind a few on licence in the future (may be the payoff). I reckon they'd make great display animals; small, very active, not aggressive at all and require little room and heating costs to accomodate appropriately. Of course, they would have to be passed on sufficiently started on rodents initially.

 

[eipper]

No my understanding is that the genetics are done and all 3 Austrelaps are good species. Lovely little snakes Richard

 

[imported_Varanus]

Thanks scott, I was hoping you'd reply!

- - - Updated - - -

A few final pics sent by the home owner of it's capture.

This is an example of free handling and represents a potentially dangerous scenario that only those experienced with venomous snakes should consider, so don't do this at home.

 

[fantapants]

and this is the one yours might be mating with hopefully

 

[imported_Varanus]

very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[caliherp]

Thanks scott, I was hoping you'd reply!

- - - Updated - - -

A few final pics sent by the home owner of it's capture.

This is an example of free handling and represents a potentially dangerous scenario that only those experienced with venomous snakes should consider, so don't do this at home.

Just a quick question, what about that snake made you feel comfortable enough to free handle it? Incredible snake by the way. A true gem, you must be proud of this find.

Regards, Patrick

 

[Brent]

great!
many on licence now days ?
I have always been interested in them
I remember seeing them during 1970' when I a member of SA-Adelaide Herpetology club
the good old days
brent

 

[imported_Varanus]

Just a quick question, what about that snake made you feel comfortable enough to free handle it?

If I was to quantify, species and the snakes general demeanor at the time.

- - - Updated - - -

many on licence now days ?

Not that I'm aware of Brent.Like most Copperheads it would be difficult to get established feeders and alot of work along the way, I'd imagine.

 

[richoman_3]

thats awesome!!

 

[Bushman]

That's a good photo Fantapants. It illustrates well the distinctive facial markings that characterizes this species.
I'm pleased to hear that a breeding program is underway for this vulnerable and poorly understood species.

 

[fantapants]

Very easy snake to photograph, for a small elapid their quite calm but if you stuff around to much they wont hesitate in striking at the camera! cool snakes