White-crowned Snake - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Cacophis harriettae

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 12 Feb 2018

Description

The White-crowned Snake is a small, slim snake up to 45 cm long. Its upper body is dark steely-grey to dark grey-brown and the belly is lighter grey. The black crown is encircled by a creamy-white band that is widest on the nape, extending around the sides of the head to enclose the snout. It is mainly nocturnal and reacts to disturbance by raising its head and upper body off the ground and making striking movements, but seldom attempts to bite.

Distribution

Coastal and near-coastal areas from central eastern Queensland south to the vicinity of Coffs Harbour in north-east NSW. The western limit is the Legume area near the NSW-Queensland border; however, their stronghold appears to be the middle Clarence Valley.

Habitat and ecology

Favours low to mid-elevation dry eucalypt forest and woodland, particularly areas with a varied and well-developed litter layer, where their prey of small lizards may be more abundant.
Also occasionally found in moist eucalypt forest and coastal heathland.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing, fragmentation and isolation of suitable habitat due to agricultural and intensive forestry activities.
Loss of foraging and sheltering habitat as the result of frequent burning associated with grazing and forest management.
Collection of firewood, bush rock and mulch from areas of habitat.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Use alternative methods to protect property from fire.
Allow forest and woodland litter layers to develop by reducing the incidence of fire.
Do not collect fallen timber for firewood or bush rock for gardens from bushland areas.
Protect known and potential habitat from clearing, fragmentation and isolation.
Reconnect areas of known and potential habitat with wide forested corridors.
Report any confirmed records from outside the known distribution to OEH

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Cataract	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	North of Coffs Harbour
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Predicted	None