Brachyurophis

Shovel-nosed snakes
Brachyurophis - Günther, 1863

Pronunciation:

BRACK-ee-your-OH-fis

Etymology:

'short-tailed snake'

Taxonomic notes:

Members of this genus were previously placed in Simoselaps.

Notes:

Statistics:

Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 8 out of 8 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: Arnhem shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis morrisi) at 23 cm
Longest Australian species: Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis) at up to 50 cm

Number of Australian species:


Exmouth, Western Australia Photo © David Fischer		Brachyurophis approximans North-western shovel-nosed snake Year described (Glauert 1954) Description Brown to reddish-brown with a series of broad, dark bands beginning at the base of the neck and continuing down the length of the body; bands are much wider than pale interspaces, and typically end on lower flanks. Broad, blackish bands are present on the head and nape. Belly is whitish.

Westmar, Queensland Photo © Stewart Macdonald		Brachyurophis australis Australian coral snake Year described (Krefft 1864) Description Red to reddish-brown with a broad, dark band on both the head and nape. The pattern consists of narrow bands comprised of pale yellow to white, dark-edged scales; belly whitish.

Aurukun, Queensland Photo © Anders Zimny		Brachyurophis campbelli Cape York shovel-nosed snake Year described (Kinghorn 1929) Description Variable; colouration ranges from reddish-brown to orange; the head and nape are marked with dark bars, followed by dark bands of similar width to pale interspaces, running the length of the body. Belly whitish.

Perth, Western Australia Photo © Jordan Vos		Brachyurophis fasciolatus Narrow-banded shovel-nosed snake Year described (Günther 1872) Description Whitish to cream ground colouration interrupted by numerous narrow, irregular dark bands with red and black flecks in interspaces. Large, dark bars are present on the head and nape, with the nuchal bar varying in width between the two subspecies; B. f. fasciolatus has a broad nuchal bar, ranging from 7-15 scales in width, whereas B. f. fasciatus possesses a narrower bar, 3-6 scales in width.

Augathella, Queensland Photo © Stewart Macdonald		Brachyurophis incinctus Unbanded shovel-nosed snake Year described (Storr 1968) Description Orange, pink to brown ground colouration; scales often dark-edged, giving the animal a faint reticulated appearance; belly cream coloured. A dark band is present across the head, and another across the nape, but otherwise no banding is present on the body.

Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory Photo © Peter Street		Brachyurophis morrisi Arnhem shovel-nosed snake Year described (Horner 1998) Description A relatively small, orange-brown snake. Patterning consists of a broad, dark band across the nape and dark mottling between the eyes, but otherwise the body is unbanded; however, body scales are often dark-edged, giving the animal a faintly reticulated appearance.

Adelaide River, Northern Territory Photo © Brendan Schembri		Brachyurophis roperi Northern shovel-nosed snake Year described (Kinghorn 1931) Description A relatively small, geographically variable snake, orange to reddish-brown above and possessing a series of broad, sometimes irregular, dark bands.

Kimba, South Australia Photo © David Fischer		Brachyurophis semifasciatus Southern shovel-nosed snake Year described (Günther 1864) Description Variable; colouration ranges from reddish-brown to orange; the head and nape are marked with dark bars, followed by dark bands of similar width to pale interspaces, running the length of the body. Belly whitish.

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