Reptiles and Frogs
Snakes
Sighting 4386068

Acanthophis antarcticus

3 Common Death Adder at Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

Acanthophis antarcticus at Blue Mountains National Park, NSW - suppressed
Acanthophis antarcticus at Blue Mountains National Park, NSW - suppressed
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Identification history

Acanthophis antarcticus 13 Jul 2021 PatrickCampbell

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User's notes

Red colour phase. Note the spine on the tip of the tail, which is wriggled to attract prey within striking distance of this ambush predator.

2 comments

AaronClausen wrote:
   14 Aug 2021
OMG this is incredible!
PatrickCampbell wrote:
   4 Sep 2021
Thanks Aaron. Of course the tail is typically in front of the head when it's "hunting" in the ambush position. This shot shows the spine at the tip of the tail best to illustrate this genus' unique distinguishing feature. The name of the genus derives from the Ancient Greek acanthos meaning "spine" and ophis "snake", referring to the spine on the death adder's tail.

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