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18004SNAKE
Australian snake guide

Red-bellied black snake

Pseudechis porphyriacus

Glossy black on top with red or pink lower sides.

Habitat and distribution

Creeks, dams, swamps and wet gardens along the east coast.

Safety

Shy and slow to bite, but the venom still needs hospital treatment.

Quick facts

Venom
Venomous. Bites can cause pain, muscle damage and clotting problems and need hospital assessment, although deaths are very rare.
Size
Usually 1.2 to 1.5 m, occasionally up to 2 m.
Active
By day, often near creeks, dams and swamps.
Diet
Mostly frogs, plus lizards, small mammals and other snakes.

Often confused with

Common questions

Is the red-bellied black snake dangerous?

It is venomous and a bite needs urgent medical care, but it is generally shy and prefers to move away. 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 red-bellied black snakes found?

Along the east coast and ranges from north Queensland to Victoria and south-east South Australia, usually close to water where frogs are plentiful.

Does a black snake with a red belly always mean this species?

Not always. Several dark snakes have pale, pink or reddish undersides, including the eastern small-eyed snake. Do not get close to check.

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 Approximate historical reference range; not a habitat or absence assessment.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 11,227 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.