Pygmy Copperhead
Austrelaps labialis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyElapidae (Elapid Snakes)
- GenusAustrelaps (Australian Copperheads)
- SpeciesAustrelaps labialis (Pygmy Copperhead)
About the Pygmy Copperhead
The pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis) is an Australian venomous elapid snake species found on Kangaroo Island Fleurieu Peninsula and the Mount Lofty Ranges where it is considered under threat. It is the only snake endemic to South Australia. It is from the Austrelaps genus along with two other species of copperhead, the Highland and Lowland copperhead snakes.
Adult pygmy copperhead snakes grow to an average of 80 cm (31 in) making it the smallest of Australian copperheads. It preys on small reptiles and frogs. Their bite is considered possibly lethal but they are unlikely to attack unless stepped on or purposely provoked.
They are not considered to be in need of conservation. The pygmy copperhead was first described as the Alecto Labialis by Giorgio Jan in 1859. This name was also briefly given to the White-lipped Snake in 1873 by Jan and associate Ferdinando Sordelli.
It was formerly included in Austrelaps superbus which, at the time, also included the highland and lowland copperhead snakes under the same name. The three species were officially separated in 1991 in a publication from P. A. Rawlinson, detailing key differences in appearance, distribution and behaviour... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Flinders Chase
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flinders Chase | 🇦🇺 Australia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Pygmy Copperhead in Flinders Chase?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Pygmy Copperhead sighting in Flinders Chase, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Pygmy Copperhead in Flinders Chase?
September has the highest sighting rate for Pygmy Copperhead in Flinders Chase in our monthly data.