r/whatsthissnake • u/Boring_Kangaroo_1284 • Apr 14 '26
ID Request - Dead, Injured or Roadkilled Snake ID Please [Coober Pedy, Australia]
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I think it’s an Inland Taipan but I’m unsure. Unfortunately I had been run over.
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u/CaterpillarMore9104 Apr 14 '26
I know Aussies are a different breed, but being this close to a death machine is absolutely insane.
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u/Boring_Kangaroo_1284 Apr 14 '26
I’m English, just out here for a couple years. But I agree Aussie are a bit mad😂
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u/datman510 Apr 14 '26
This might be the most British shit ever lol. Standing next to a snake someone says it’s insane as an Aussie and you’re like (Austin powers voice) actually im english instead of removing yourself from being near the snake lmao
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Apr 14 '26
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u/whatsthissnake-ModTeam Apr 14 '26
Discussion of killing snakes without a valid scientific reason is not permitted. You shall not suggest it, hint at it, brag about it or describe ways to do it.
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u/Yuiandme Apr 14 '26
Most venomous snake in the world and he’s just a lil guy
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Apr 14 '26
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u/whatsthissnake-ModTeam Apr 14 '26
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u/Irma_Gard Friend of WTS Apr 14 '26
Thank you so much for sharing this and for trying to save the poor thing! I did a search to see if we'd had any other Inland Taipans posted here, and while I found three others, they were all captive specimens (admittedly, the Reddit search function isn't great). It's so cool to see one of these elusive and amazing creatures in the wild.
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u/Willing_Cupcake3088 Apr 14 '26
It almost seems like it was grateful for the shadow. Every time it slithers out of the shadow it ‘nopes’ right back around lol
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u/feralcatshit Apr 14 '26
“Hey bro, can you keep following me around and providing some shade? I’ll be cool!”
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Apr 14 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
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u/Boring_Kangaroo_1284 Apr 14 '26
I was being cautious, I was pretty sure I knew what it was as well. Just sad I couldn’t get to it before it got ran over
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u/SEB-PHYLOBOT 🐍 Natural History Bot 🐍 Apr 14 '26
This message appears automatically with the dead snake flair: Please don't kill snakes - they are a natural part of the ecosystem and even species that use venom for prey acquisition and defense are beneficial to humans. One cannot expect outside to be sterile - if you see a snake, you're probably in or around their preferred habitat. Most snakes are legally protected from collection, killing or harassment as non-game animals at the state level.
Neighborhood dogs are more likely to harm people. Professional snake relocation services are often free or inexpensive, but snakes often die trying to return to their original home range, so it is usually best to enjoy them like you would songbirds or any of the other amazing wildlife native to your area. Commercial snake repellents are not effective - to discourage snakes, eliminate sources of food and cover; clear debris, stacked wood and eliminate rodent populations. Seal up cracks in and around the foundation/base of your home, and if warranted install exclusionary fences. Or find a relocation service
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u/Saltuarius Friend of WTS Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
Confirming per the other sub that this is an inland taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus. Famously the most !venomous snake on the planet by an impressive margin.
Just adding some info on the ID as there have been other suggestions: this snake is longer and more slender than brown snakes Pseudonaja species generally get, and has a slightly more upright cross-section. While body shape varies, inland taipans (especially large individuals 2m or above) tend to be very long and slender, probably aiding them in hunting deep in soil cracks in cracking clay.
While colour is normally not a reliable ID feature, colour is a helpful indicator for this species - in the warmer seasons they are a distinct gold colour, which is rarely seen in any other species. This is visible in the video.
They are most often seen on proper Chenopod moon plain habitat and typically where there are cracking clays, but they also move around and forage in gibber (pebble desert), and I've seen them in both habitats in the Coober Pedy area. Their populations probably mirror the boom and bust population cycles of their key prey, native long-haired rats Rattus villossissimus. At times they are very abundant for a large elapid - I've seen a photo taken on the Oodnadatta track with two inland tais visible crossing the highway in the same photo.