Australian snake habitats

Australia’s landmass is 7,617,930 square kilometres. Due to the country's large landmass, many climates are experienced including equatorial, tropical, subtropical, desert, monsoonal, temperate, and alpine. These differing climates influence snake distribution and abundance, and provide many different and unique habitats for them.

80% of Western Australia falls into the desert or semi-arid climate section meaning that it receives no more than a foot of rainfall all year long. The soil is not rich in nutrients and over half of the days are sunny with no clouds. There is a large variety of snakes in this area. The highest temperature ever recorded here is 123 degrees Fahrenheit and averages are in the 80’s (F) and 90’s (F) during more than half of the year. Because of these hot temperature the snake habitats in Western Australia are mostly out in the open. They enjoy soaking up the sun since they are not warm blooded. It is a wrong belief that snakes are cold blooded. They are actually 'poikilothermis', meaning that they cannot control their body temperature and depend upon external sources to stay warm. Habitats are typically on top of rocks or out on the desert sand area that cover most of this province. Several species of snakes can also be found in the grassy expanses surrounding wetlands and lakes in the wetter south west region of the state.

The Northern Territory is located to the northeast of Western Australia. Here the climate ranges from desert to tropical. This wide climate variety is accompanied by a wide variety of snakes making use of the different habitats. The highest recorded temperature in this region is 48.3 degrees Celsius and averages are around 26 degrees Celsius year round. The further south in the province you go the cooler it is, and record lows such as -7.5 degrees Celsius have been recorded in the arid inland desert.

MacLeay’s Water Snake is a largely nocturnal species that is typically found in coastal Northern Territory. The water snakes spend most of their time in or near water where they feed; they will only leave to bask in the sun or breed. They are found mostly in freshwater lagoons, swamps and creeks and can also be found sheltering in vegetation near water. Their range increases markedly during wet season flooding. Their most defining characteristic is their stout bodies and strongly keeled scales. In terms of breeding, water snakes are viviparous which means that they give birth to up to 15 live offspring instead of laying eggs. They are a mildly venomous species with rear-facing fangs.

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