Snake ID

[Timmsy]

Hey new to area got this snake out of pool is it dangerous?

 

[HadesPanther]

Location would be great for this one. In the future, ID's will usually be more accurate with a location and a photo is generally better than a video. Without location, an uncertain ID would be tropidonophis mairii or a keelback.

 

[Bluetongue1]

Given the patterning on the back and the head shape, this is almost certainly a Keelback snake (Tropidonophis mairii). It is a non-venomous snake that feeds almost entirely on frogs. It is most often found in the flatter wet regions around Brisbane.

There is also a highly venomous snake, the Rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinata), that looks extremely similar. It too eats a lot of frogs, so is often found in the vicinity of water bodies. It tends to occur more in valleys and upland areas around Brissy, but there are areas where they can occur together. It is best to treat all snakes of unknown identity as potentially venomous, as you did with catching it. Covered footwear is recommended for when it is released. Just so that you know for the future, a closer single frame shot would have been better for IDing this, if you have that opportunity to do so safely.

Which is which?

The two together are both Keelbacks and the single specimen is a Rough-scaled. The finer differences between them require an experienced eye and knowledge to detect.

 

[HadesPanther]

Given the patterning on the back and the head shape, this is almost certainly a Keelback snake (Tropidonophis mairii). It is a non-venomous snake that feeds almost entirely on frogs. It is most often found in the flatter wet regions around Brisbane.

There is also a highly venomous snake, the Rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinata), that looks extremely similar. It too eats a lot of frogs, so is often found in the vicinity of water bodies. It tends to occur more in valleys and upland areas around Brissy, but there are areas where they can occur together. It is best to treat all snakes of unknown identity as potentially venomous, as you did with catching it. Covered footwear is recommended for when it is released. Just so that you know for the future, a closer single frame shot would have been better for IDing this, if you have that opportunity to do so safely.
View attachment 335169View attachment 335170
Which is which?

The two together are both Keelbacks and the single specimen is a Rough-scaled. The finer differences between them require an experienced eye and knowledge to detect.

^Tropidechis also no loreal scale, while keelbacks have a loreal

 

[Bluetongue1]

For those that are interested, following is a more comprehensive list of distinguishing features between the two species (originally posted 2 May 2020)


Note: Loreal scales, when present, prevent the preocular scales in front of the eye being in direct contact with the scale edging the nostril opening.

Keelback:
· Possesses a loreal scale
· Dark edges between larger upper lip scales (supralabials)
· Rear part of mouth curves distinctly upwards
· Anal scale and scales underneath the tail are all divided (paired)
· Dark bands across body not all in a line (some are a checker board pattern)

Rough-scaled:
· No loreal scale
· No dark edges to supralabials
· Line of mouth is straight
· Anal scale and scales underneath the tail are all single
· Dark bands across body relatively in line (parallel pattern)