Indicative distribution
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: Hemiaspis damelii
Gazetted date:
28 Apr 2023
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2024
Description
The Grey Snake is a relatively small, venomous, front-fanged (proteroglyphous)snake that can be confused with several other similar-looking elapid species, e.g.,juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), Curl Snake (Suta suta),Dwyer’s Snake (Suta dwyeri) and Carpentaria snake (Cryptophis boshmai). The body colour is a uniform pale or dark grey to olive grey with the top of the head and a few scale rows on the nape being black in juveniles, and more of a crescent or absent in adults. Belly colour is white, cream, or pale yellow, often with darker flecks, and the skin between the scales is black. The eyes are large relative to other small snakes that share a similar habitat. The scales are smooth and in 17rows at the mid-body, ventral scales range from 140–170, the anal scale is divided and the subcaudal scales are single and range from 35–50. In New South Wales (NSW), the maximum total length in males is approximately 605 mm, with average male snout vent length (SVL) approximately 426 mm, and maximum total length in females is 575 mm, with average female SVL approximately 463 mm. Juvenile snakes are approximately 140 mm in length, with males maturing at around seven months of age and females maturing at 12 months. Both sexes are on average larger in NSW than those recorded in Queensland.
Distribution
The Grey Snake has a wide overall range from inland southern NSW to central Queensland, though the distribution is not continuous across this full range and consists of several isolated subpopulations. In NSW the species occupies five geographically discrete subpopulations, predominantly associated with the lower reaches of major westerly flowing rivers, including the Gwydir, Namoi, Castlereagh, Macquarie, Lachlan, and Murrumbidgee River systems. Some NSW subpopulations occur in protected areas including Yanga National Park and Gayini Nimmie-Caira, a property under the management and ownership of the Nari Nari Tribal Council in southern NSW. Subpopulations also occur in two internationally important wetlands, the Gwydir Wetlands and the Macquarie Marshes, both of which are listed on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, as well as in the Great Cumbung Swamp, which is included in the Directory of Nationally Important Wetlands.
Habitat and ecology
- Floodplains and ephemeral wetlands associated with heavy clay soils are key habitat features for the Grey Snake
- In NSW, the Grey Snake’s habitat includes the margins of ephemeral wetlands within River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Black Box (E. largiflorens) vegetation communities and Tangled Lignum (Duma florulenta) swamps
- The species shelters in soil cracks, rocks, logs, flood debris, and abandoned burrows within these habitats
- The Grey Snake has not been sighted in dry phase wetlands, suggesting its detectability and activity patterns may be related to wetland inundation regimes and suitable weather conditions
- Grey Snakes are viviparous, giving birth to 4–16 live young.
- The species is crepuscular to nocturnal, where they are active for 1–2 hours after dusk.
- The diet of the Grey Snake is primarily composed of ground-dwelling frogs. However, tree frogs and, rarely, skinks also form part of the species' diet.
- Cracks in clay soils are used in the species' hunting strategy, where it travels along cracks searching for ground-dwelling frogs, which are often found between these cracks.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The very restricted size and distribution of the population makes it susceptible to stochastic extinction.
- Alteration to the natural flow regimes of floodplains and wetlands caused by water extraction and river regulation as long dry periods damage the wetland health.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation due to development and agricultural activities isolating the reserve from potential habitat.
- Feral pigs degrade this species habitat by digging over the soil and leaf litter, turning logs and loose rocks and trampling ground vegetation.
- Predation of individuals by cats and foxes.
- Prolonged drought and increase in temperatures causing waterholes drying out completely (loss of refuge for the species)
- Risk of large-scale intensive wildfire burning significant areas of habitat (especially hollow trees), particularly during prolonged droughts periods; as well as too frequent fire impacting habitat suitability
- Chemical pollution by stormwater, and nutrients pollution into reserves from external sources, feeding weeds, pesticides and any other agricultural activities impacting the wetlands’ health including the chain food for this species (frogs).
- Overgrazing and trampling by domestic livestock causing damage to the wetland.
- Poisoning through the ingestion of cane toads
- Declining frog populations
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the Grey Snake in New South Wales.
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