Common Death Adder

The Common Death Adder, Acanthophis antarcticus, is a species of death adder native to Australia and is one of the most poisonous land snakes in the world. It occurs over much of eastern and coastal southern Australia including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It may also be found in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and western parts of South Australia.

Common Death Adders are found in forests, woodlands, grasslands and heaths of the Eastern Coast of Australia. It is a master of camouflage, due to its band stripes, hiding beneath loose leaf litter and debris in woodland, scrubland and grassland.

Common Deaths Adders have broad flattened, triangular heads and a thin body. They grow to lengths of 27 to 40 inches. They are light brown and have dull, darker brown-black stripes running horizontally across their body. Their fangs are longer than most of Australia’s venomous snakes. Unlike most snakes, Death Adders produce litters of live young. In the late summer the female will give birth to between 10 and 30 babies, with an average of 15 – 20.

Common Death Adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet. Unlike other snakes, the Common Death Adder lies in wait for its prey, often for many days, until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its yellowish grub-like tail close to its head as a lure. When an animal approaches to investigate the movement, the death adder quickly strikes, injecting its venom and then waiting for the victim to die before eating it.