Stephen's Banded Snake

About the Stephen's Banded Snake

Stephens's banded snake (Hoplocephalus stephensii) is a species of highly venomous tree snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Gerard Krefft described Hoplocephalus stephensii as a species new to science in 1869. The specific name stephensii, is in honour of Australian academic William John Stephens.

H. stephensii grows up to 1 meter (39 inches) in total length (including tail), with some specimens having been recorded as having a total length upwards of 120 cm (47 in). The Stephens' banded snake is the largest species within the genus Hoplocephalus, weighing up to 250 g (8.8 oz) as an adult. On average, females of this species are larger than males. This slight sexual dimorphism is an adaptation that likely improves the reproductive capabilities of females.

The anterior scalation of Stephens's banded snake consists of 21 rows of midbody dorsal scales, and 220 to 250 ventral scales. Posteriorly, its singular subcaudal scales can range between 50 and 70 scales from the anal plate to the tip of the tail. This species has a singular (undivided) anal plate that covers its cloacal opening. The ventral scales of the genus Hoplocephalus... Wikipedia →