“Coluber porphyriacus…”
Zoology & Botany of New Holland (1794), George Shaw
One of the highlights of each Spring is my first sighting of a Red Belly Black Snake along the River Torrens. In a good year they will even enter the courtyard of our Linear Park home. My 2025 encounter was whilst dog walking along the river bike path. English naturalist first described this reptile. He was a bit careless with the syntype specimen, as he assumed it to be non venomous as he failed to locate any fangs. Their venom in fact contains neurotoxins, myotoxins, and coagulants and has haemolytic properties. Interestingly, there are no recorded human deaths from a RBBS bite, but little dogs are another matter. This snake is found close to bodies of water, rivers and billabongs are favourites. Red Bellies are good swimmers and can submerge for up to 30 minutes. Luckily for me, the River Torrens in the foothills of the Adelaide Plains is right on the very Southern edge of their Australian habitat. #grabpennyandrun #letsmakelemonade
Pen Paint and Scalpel 