Pseudechis butleri
Encyclopedia
Pseudechis butleri, the spotted Mulga (or Butler's) snake, is a species of elapid snake found in Western Australia
. It is a member of the Pseudechis
genus, dangerously venomous snakes that can intimidate an opponent by raising their head and presenting a hood. This cobra
-like threat display
is supported by the ability to produce a very large amount of venom
. Pseudechis butleri is similar to Pseudechis australis
, the larger common Mulga Snake, which also occurs in its range, but is spotted and does not exceed 1.6 metres in length. The length from snout to vent is up to 1.41 m. The body is speckled with black, but are mainly covered in yellow or brownish scales with black edges. The distribution of the species is within the Murchison region of Western Australia, where it occurs in Acacia
woodlands on stony and loamy soils, and occasionally amongst rocks. Specimens of this West Australian endemic species have been recorded in Mullewa
in the north, as far west as Leonora
, and to the east near Laverton, all in Western Australia.
The venom contains systemic myotoxin
s. Treatment for positive envenomation is the same as for P. australis, using a Black snake antivenom.
The genus Pseudechis suggests a similarity to the African-Asian vipers of the genus Echis
; the specific epithet butleri commemorates the Australian naturalist Harry Butler
.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. It is a member of the Pseudechis
Pseudechis
The genus Pseudechis contains the group of elapids commonly referred to as the Black Snakes. These snakes are found in every Australian state with the exception of Tasmania and some species are found in Papua New Guinea....
genus, dangerously venomous snakes that can intimidate an opponent by raising their head and presenting a hood. This cobra
Cobra
Cobra is a venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. However, not all snakes commonly referred to as cobras are of the same genus, or even of the same family. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake"...
-like threat display
Threat display
Threat display is a type of display behaviour aiming at intimidation of a potential enemy. It may be directed at a rival of the same species , or at a potential threat from a different species....
is supported by the ability to produce a very large amount of venom
Snake venom
Snake venom is highly modified saliva that is produced by special glands of certain species of snakes. The glands which secrete the zootoxin are a modification of the parotid salivary gland of other vertebrates, and are usually situated on each side of the head below and behind the eye,...
. Pseudechis butleri is similar to Pseudechis australis
Pseudechis australis
Pseudechis australis, the common King Brown, Mulga snake or Pilbara cobra, is a species of venomous snake found in Australia. It is one of the longest venomous snakes in the world and the second longest in Australia...
, the larger common Mulga Snake, which also occurs in its range, but is spotted and does not exceed 1.6 metres in length. The length from snout to vent is up to 1.41 m. The body is speckled with black, but are mainly covered in yellow or brownish scales with black edges. The distribution of the species is within the Murchison region of Western Australia, where it occurs in Acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
woodlands on stony and loamy soils, and occasionally amongst rocks. Specimens of this West Australian endemic species have been recorded in Mullewa
Mullewa, Western Australia
- External links :* *...
in the north, as far west as Leonora
Leonora, Western Australia
Leonora is a town in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, located northeast of the state capital, Perth, and north of the city of Kalgoorlie. At the 2006 census, Leonora had a population of 401, about a third of whom are of Aboriginal descent. The area is extremely arid, with a...
, and to the east near Laverton, all in Western Australia.
The venom contains systemic myotoxin
Myotoxin
Myotoxins are small, basic peptides found in snake venoms, such as in that of certain rattlesnakes. This involves a non-enzymatic mechanism that leads to severe muscle necrosis...
s. Treatment for positive envenomation is the same as for P. australis, using a Black snake antivenom.
The genus Pseudechis suggests a similarity to the African-Asian vipers of the genus Echis
Echis
Echis is a genus of venomous vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. They have a characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning sound...
; the specific epithet butleri commemorates the Australian naturalist Harry Butler
Harry Butler
William Henry "Harry" Butler CBE is an Australian naturalist and environmental consultant. He is a populariser of science and natural history for both child and adult audiences and, as conservation consultant to the Barrow Island oilfield and many other projects, has played a major role in...
.