Reptiles and Frogs
Snakes
Sighting 3394119

Austrelaps ramsayi

1 Highlands Copperhead at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
Austrelaps ramsayi at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 11 Mar 2018 11:09 AM
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Identification history

Austrelaps ramsayi 5 Oct 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Austrelaps ramsayi 19 Jun 2018 PatrickCampbell
Pseudechis porphyriacus 4 Apr 2018 wombey
Unidentified 3 Apr 2018 George

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User's notes

Observation by Kelly Mullen - very unperturbed by human activity held observers hostage in hut

6 comments

wombey wrote:
   5 Apr 2018
It looks like a Red -bellied Black in the process of sloughing. Any other thoughts or ids before we sign off on this?
WillO wrote:
   5 Apr 2018
Given the location John I was thinking another possibility is Highlands Copperhead (perhaps shedding as well) . I hadnt realised that RBB snakes can get that light brown colour when shedding. I guess it is down to three possibilities - RBBS, Tiger Snake (head not the right shape?) or Highlands Copper head. Body shape not right (too stocky?) for Eastern Brown Snake. I wonder if the photographer has another photograph they can send us or add.
wombey wrote:
   6 Apr 2018
All of the above worried me too. I think the misleading colour could be a result of light tricks given the skin is starting to lift. If I saw only the head I would have had to say RBB but I agree, if the photographer has other images, please submit them, especially if of different angles. None of the other likely suspects really fit even with the odd dorsal colour here. In the absence of other images I am still inclined to RBB.
George wrote:
   6 Apr 2018
Hi all
am seeking another photo to help with Id and special hi to Will :0
regards
Kathy (eyles)
MichaelBedingfield wrote:
   14 Apr 2018
Re your question "How do I add 2 more images as requested by moderators - it wasn't obvious on the edit page (no button)":
After clicking on Edit, slide the images from your desktop into the upper rectangle.
PatrickCampbell wrote:
   20 Jun 2018
I reckon this is a Highlands Copperhead (Austrelaps ramsayi).
Reasons being, the relatively small head is distinctly different in colour to the body colouration i.e slatey-grey head distinct from brown dorsum, separated by a yellowish collar, which you won't find in Pseudechis porphyriacus. The yellow flanks visible in the photo is also a distinguishing feature of A. ramsayi, along with indications of black edging to the pale yellow lateral scales. Whereas, RBB's never have pale yellow flanks.
I can only count about 15 mid-body scale rows, which is the usual number for Copperheads, as opposed to 17 for Red-bellies.

Whereabouts is the location given, as Willo mentions "given the locality" but I can't see it anywhere?

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Location information

Sighting information

Species information

  • Austrelaps ramsayi Scientific name
  • Highlands Copperhead Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-invasive or negligible
  • Up to 1759.9m Recorded at altitude
  • 113 images trained Machine learning

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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