Collett's black snake
Pseudechis colletti
A robust snake with a broad, blunt head. Dark brown to black with irregular salmon-pink or reddish patches and a cream to yellow-orange belly.
Habitat and distribution
Black-soil plains of central inland Queensland, sheltering in deep soil cracks, gilgais and under fallen timber.
Safety
Also known as Collett's snake or the Downs tiger snake, but it is a black snake relative. Highly venomous: keep your distance and call 000 for a suspected bite.
Quick facts
- Venom
- Venomous. Bites can cause muscle damage and bleeding problems and need urgent hospital care.
- Size
- Usually 1.2 to 1.5 m, occasionally up to 2 m.
- Active
- By day in mild weather and at night when it is hot. Shelters in deep soil cracks.
- Diet
- Frogs, lizards, small mammals and other snakes.
Often confused with
- Mulga snake (king brown) (Pseudechis australis)
- Red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Common questions
Where is Collett's black snake found?
Only in central inland Queensland, mainly on black-soil plains and grassland. It is rarely encountered.
Is Collett's black snake venomous?
Yes. It is a member of the black snake group and its bite needs urgent medical care. 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 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 Approximate historical reference range; not a habitat or absence assessment.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 44 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.