What is a red-bellied black snake?
The red-bellied black snake is a venomous snake of eastern Australia with a glossy black back and a bright red or pink belly. It usually lives near creeks, swamps and wetlands.
Red-bellied black snakes grow to about 1.5 to 2 metres long. They hunt frogs, fish, lizards and small mammals, often in or near water, and are good swimmers.
They are generally shy and avoid people, but they may bite if stepped on or handled. Their venom can cause serious illness and needs hospital treatment, although deaths are extremely rare.
Cane toad victims
Because they eat frogs, red-bellied black snakes were hit hard when cane toads spread into their range. Some populations now appear to be adapting, avoiding toads.
Females give birth to live young in thin membranous sacs, often producing a dozen or more babies at once.
They are often seen basking on paths and creek banks on warm days, and they become less active in cold winter months. If one is seen, the best response is to stand still and let it move away, then give it plenty of space. Like all native snakes, they are protected by law.
Did You Know?
Red-bellied black snakes are common around Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne's outskirts.