Western brown snake (gwardar)
Pseudonaja mengdeni
Very variable. Can be plain brown, banded, or have a dark head and neck.
Habitat and distribution
Dry country across the inland, the north and the west.
Safety
Fast and nervous. Treat any brown snake as dangerous.
Quick facts
- Venom
- Highly venomous. Like other brown snakes, its venom can cause serious bleeding problems.
- Size
- Usually about 1.2 to 1.5 m.
- Active
- By day, and at night in very hot weather.
- Diet
- Lizards, small mammals and other reptiles.
Often confused with
- Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
- Mulga snake (king brown) (Pseudechis australis)
- Dugite (Pseudonaja affinis)
Common questions
What is a gwardar?
Gwardar is another name for the western brown snake. It is used in Western Australia and central Australia.
Is the western brown snake venomous?
Yes, it is a dangerously venomous brown snake. Many have a dark head or neck, but colour varies a lot between areas. 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 Approximate historical reference range; not a habitat or absence assessment.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 2,516 towns and suburbs. Ranges are approximate and do not confirm occurrence at a particular address.
- Far West and Orana, NSW
- Murray, NSW
- Other NSW localities, NSW
- Northern Territory - Outback, NT
- Other QLD localities, QLD
- Queensland - Outback, QLD
- Adelaide - Central and Hills, SA
- Adelaide - North, SA
- Adelaide - West, SA
- Barossa - Yorke - Mid North, SA
- Other SA localities, SA
- South Australia - Outback, SA
- South Australia - South East, SA
- Other VIC localities, VIC
- Bunbury, WA
- Mandurah, WA
- Other WA localities, WA
- Perth - North East, WA
- Perth - North West, WA
- Perth - South East, WA
- Perth - South West, WA
- Western Australia - Outback, WA
- Western Australia - Outback (North), WA
- Western Australia - Outback (South), WA
- Western Australia - Wheat Belt, WA
Call 1800 4 SNAKE (1800 476 253)
If someone has been bitten, call 000. Never approach or handle a snake to identify it.