toxinologist
Active Member
Hi all,
The Papuan blacksnake (Pseudechis papuanus) was last recorded in PNG's heavily populated Central Province in 1992, and prior to that there had only been a handful of confirmed specimens since the early 1970's. During the last decade the only specimens in PNG have all come from the South-Fly and Balimo Districts of Western Province in areas where there are presently no cane toads.
Until last week, extensive fieldwork by a number of herpetologists including Mark O'Shea and myself had failed to turn up any evidence that the species had survived the cane toad invasion and recent deforestation in Central Province as the the human population had grown. It makes me really happy therefore to report finding a 1.5 metre male specimen freshly DOR on the Magi Highway approximately 48 km ESE of Port Moresby near the village of Sabuia.
The snake was found in an area of ideal habitat - lowland rainforest bordered by grassland with a large area of grassland/marshland on the opposite side of the road.
The specimen was dissected before being lodged with the National Museum, and contrary to the reputation of this species as an exclusive amphibian-eater, the stomach contained the remains of a recently eaten rodent. We hope to ID the species from hair and bones recovered from the stomach, and will also ID the nematodes present in the gut. This finding suggests that perhaps some populations or individuals of this species might possibly either prefer mammals, or have learned to eat them in preference to amphibians, and in so doing have survived the spread of the cane toad in this part of PNG.
Given that no evidence of either live or dead specimens of Pseudechis papuanus had turned up in either Central or Gulf Provinces for over 13 years this is a very important find and gives some confidence that the species is not quite extinct in south-eastern PNG after all!
Efforts will now be made to locate and capture live specimens from this area. Local villagers were able to correctly describe this species and distinguished it as being different from the Papuan taipans found in their area. Jonathon Howard from Sydney (who frequents this forum) was up in PNG and out on the roads with me last week doing antivenom deliveries to health centres when this snake was found - half the credit goes to Jonny!
Cheers
David
The Papuan blacksnake (Pseudechis papuanus) was last recorded in PNG's heavily populated Central Province in 1992, and prior to that there had only been a handful of confirmed specimens since the early 1970's. During the last decade the only specimens in PNG have all come from the South-Fly and Balimo Districts of Western Province in areas where there are presently no cane toads.
Until last week, extensive fieldwork by a number of herpetologists including Mark O'Shea and myself had failed to turn up any evidence that the species had survived the cane toad invasion and recent deforestation in Central Province as the the human population had grown. It makes me really happy therefore to report finding a 1.5 metre male specimen freshly DOR on the Magi Highway approximately 48 km ESE of Port Moresby near the village of Sabuia.
The snake was found in an area of ideal habitat - lowland rainforest bordered by grassland with a large area of grassland/marshland on the opposite side of the road.
The specimen was dissected before being lodged with the National Museum, and contrary to the reputation of this species as an exclusive amphibian-eater, the stomach contained the remains of a recently eaten rodent. We hope to ID the species from hair and bones recovered from the stomach, and will also ID the nematodes present in the gut. This finding suggests that perhaps some populations or individuals of this species might possibly either prefer mammals, or have learned to eat them in preference to amphibians, and in so doing have survived the spread of the cane toad in this part of PNG.
Given that no evidence of either live or dead specimens of Pseudechis papuanus had turned up in either Central or Gulf Provinces for over 13 years this is a very important find and gives some confidence that the species is not quite extinct in south-eastern PNG after all!
Efforts will now be made to locate and capture live specimens from this area. Local villagers were able to correctly describe this species and distinguished it as being different from the Papuan taipans found in their area. Jonathon Howard from Sydney (who frequents this forum) was up in PNG and out on the roads with me last week doing antivenom deliveries to health centres when this snake was found - half the credit goes to Jonny!
Cheers
David
