Golden-crowned Snake

Fascinating facts about the Golden-crowned Snake

• A snake that can stretch up to 98 cm (39 in) holds the title of the biggest crowned snake in its genus.
• When threatened, it strikes a dramatic pose: an S-shaped coil and a flash of bright orange belly.
• Night-time hunters, these snakes chase skinks, small lizards and even frogs.
• Although classified as venomous, its bite is only mildly toxic; bites from larger individuals may present a health risk.
• From the cool hills near Canberra to the tropical rainforests of Cairns, its range spans eastern Australia.

At a glance

About the Golden-crowned Snake

The golden-crowned snake (Cacophis squamulosus) is a modest-sized elapid, averaging 50 cm (20 in) in total length but capable of stretching to 98 cm (39 in), making it the largest of the crowned snakes. Its dorsal side is a muted gray-brown to dark brown, while the ventral surface dazzles in orange to pink, streaked with a mid-line of black spots. A pale yellow-brown “crown” begins at the snout and sweeps along each side of the head before trailing down the neck, a pattern that distinguishes it from its relatives C. krefftii and C. harriettae. The snake’s 15-row mid-body dorsal scales and its S-shaped defensive posture, flashing bright orange ventral pigmentation, give it a theatrical flair when threatened, even though its venom is only mildly toxic.

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