Austrelaps superbus (Lowlands Copperhead)
Ocean Road, by Bay of Islands CP
In south-eastern Australia, this is one of the commonest snakes of heathy, coastal habitats. In my limited time in Victoria I saw two of these beautiful animals - a juvenile moving through dense scrubby vegetation near the sea and this majestic adult. Tragically, it had just been hit by a car (why the driver didn't slow down, I will never know) - its body still had some movement when I went up to it, but it very quickly died.
The brown and coppery shading was lovely to see up close - it's just shame it wasn't in happier circumstances for this snake.
The brown and coppery shading was lovely to see up close - it's just shame it wasn't in happier circumstances for this snake.