University of Adelaide researchers find new species of venomous snake in SA, NT, WA and Qld

A new species of venomous snake which uses its speed to chase down prey has been discovered in the outback by a team of Adelaide researchers.

A new species of venomous snake has been discovered in outback South Australia.

The desert whip snake is one of 15 new species uncovered by researchers from the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Museum.

Researchers from the Western Australian Museum were also involved in the discovery.

The whip snake is a fast-moving and slender snake which uses its speed to chase down its prey.

It preys upon lizards, which it subdues with its mild venom, and can grow up to 90 centimetres long.

“While the desert whip snake is mildly venomous, its bite – while painful – is unlikely to cause humans any serious harm,” University of Adelaide DNA researcher Dr James Nankivell said.

The desert whip snake, which was discovered by Adelaide researchers. Picture: Mark Hutchinson

“Bites from whip snakes are extremely rare as they are very shy and tend to flee at the first sign of danger.”

The 15 new whip snake species discovered can be found in deserts and outback towns across South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.

Dr Nankivell said the desert whip snake had distinctly different colouring to other species of whip snake, with a “bluish body” and “copper head and tail”.

“These subtle but consistent differences in external appearance and genetic evidence have led to us identifying this new species of whip snake,” Dr Nankivell said.

The snake’s colouring served as the inspiration for its scientific name Demansia cyanochasma, which means “blue gap”.

Dr Nankivell said the discovery had highlighted the diversity of reptiles living in Australia’s deserts.