Critically endangered mud adder found in SA for first time by researchers at Renmark

A venomous snake has been spotted in SA for the first time by researchers. It takes the number of venomous snake species to 37 in the state.

A critically-endangered venomous snake normally found in the eastern states has been detected in South Australia for the first time.

The De Vis’ Banded Snake, also known as the mud adder, is critically endangered in Victoria, but a university student and local herpetologists recently recorded several nocturnal sightings in the Chowilla Game Reserve, near Renmark.

The mud adder is a front-fanged medium-sized snake, up to 60cm in length with a yellow-to-orange-brown and is often confused with a death adder.

first sighting of De Vis’ Banded Snake in South Australia, taken at Chowilla by the herpetologists. Photo Connor Margetts

UniSA PhD student Shawn Scott said the detection of four adult mud adders near an isolated pool brings South Australia’s total number of venomous snake species to 37.

“We found one De Vis’ banded snake with its head exposed and its body and tail concealed in a soil crack while biting onto the left hind limb and thigh of a large adult Southern Bell frog,” he said.

The three other snakes were all found in the same vicinity, one at the base of a large river red gum and the others in soil cracks.

Mr Scott said the discovery underlines the need for greater conservation efforts in Australia’s river systems, particularly for reptiles, as many snake species are small and live in isolated or specialised ecosystems