There are two recognised forms. The Northern form or “Night Tiger” is cream with rich red bands. The Eastern form is more variable. The belly ranges from dull pink to orange. The base body colour can be pale to rich reddish brown with darker narrow irregular bands or patches and streaks. The division is supposed to be middle of Cape York.
While I cannot see the ventral colour, the base colour and lack of sharpness and contrast in many of the bands, defines yours as an Eastern form. A rather nice specimen at that. And yes, they are quick to get ’cranky”. Get within that deceptively long strike range and they will not hesitate to have a go at you – and usually more than one. I have once been on the receiving end (not my fault either) with less symptoms than a bite from a yellow-faced whip (that one was my fault). They are still a beautiful snake.
A few more characteristics if you are interested...
An adept climber (highly arboreal), long and narrow body, arrow-shaped head, large, protruding eyes (with vertically elliptical pupils), body triangular in cross-section with thin, laterally compressed neck. It commonly throws the front end of the body into a series of highly accentuated s-curves (almost figure 8) – when climbing, hunting or disturbed.
Blue