The Tiger snake is a highly venomous snake species found in the southern regions of Australia. These snakes are highly variable in their color, often banded like those on a tiger. The patterning is darker bands, strongly contrasting or indistinct, which are pale to very dark in color. The coloration is composed of olive, yellow, orange-brown, or jet-black; the underside of these snakes is light yellow or orange.
Tiger snakes are distributed from the south of Western Australia through to South Australia, Tasmania, including Savage River National Park up through Victoria, and New South Wales. These snakes inhabit coastal environments, wetlands, and creeks where they often form territories. They are also found in woodlands, forests, shrublands, grasslands, and marshlands.
Tiger snakes live a solitary life and interact only for mating. They are active during the day but may also be active on warmer nights. During cool days they will shelter in abandoned burrows of other animals, under large boulders and in trees. They may also go up to 1 m underground. They often hunt in water and can stay submerged up to 9 minutes. Tiger snakes are ground-dwelling creatures but may also climb trees and bushes. These are highly venomous and dangerous to humans snakes. They usually avoid people, but if disturbed of feeling in danger, they may attack. When threatened, they flatten their bodies and raise their heads above the ground in a classic prestrike stance.
Tiger snakes are carnivores. They mainly feed on frogs but also consume other reptiles, fish, birds, and small mammals.
Tiger snakes usually mate in spring and during this time males fight with each other for breeding rights. Females give birth to 20-30 live young usually in summer. The young are born independent and don't additional care from their mother.
Tiger snakes are threatened by habitat destruction through overgrazing, soil erosion, water pollution, and fires. These snakes are also persecuted by humans because of fear.
According to IUCN, the Tiger snake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
