Coastal taipan

Oxyuranus scutellatus

Long and light to dark brown, with a paler face and a long, narrow head.

Habitat and distribution

Cane fields, grassland and open forest along the northern and eastern coast.

Safety

Highly venomous. Keep kids and pets well away and call straight away.

Quick facts

Venom: Highly venomous with a large venom yield. Bites are life threatening without fast hospital treatment, though deaths are now rare thanks to antivenom.
Size: Usually about 2 m, occasionally close to 3 m.
Active: Mostly by day, sometimes in the early evening in hot weather.
Diet: Warm-blooded prey, especially rats and bandicoots.

Often confused with

Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
Mulga snake (king brown) (Pseudechis australis)
Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

Common questions

Is the coastal taipan dangerous?

Yes. The coastal taipan is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Snakes are venomous rather than poisonous. The risk comes from a bite, so any suspected bite should be treated as an emergency and you should call 000.

Where are coastal taipans found?

Through coastal and near-coastal northern Australia, from northern New South Wales up the Queensland coast and across the Top End to the Kimberley. Cane fields and grassland with rats are typical places.

Where it is found

Approximate range based on AROD, adapted to our dot grid. Approximate historical reference range; not a habitat or absence assessment. Listed for 2,763 towns and suburbs. Ranges are approximate and do not confirm occurrence at a particular address.

Call 1800 4 SNAKE (1800 476 253)

If someone has been bitten, call 000. Never approach or handle a snake to identify it.