Eastern Brown Snake: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Reptiles of America · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Eastern brown snakes are very fast. Naturalist David Fleay reported one could outpace a person running at full speed.
2. In one study area, these snakes spent an average of 140 days in a burrow over winter, a rest called brumation.
3. They shelter in groups: 13 snakes were found together under one concrete slab.
4. Warmth speeds up the eggs: at 25 °C they hatch after 95 days, but at 30 °C in just 36 days.
5. Most adults grow up to about 1.5 m long. Some big ones reach 2 m, and the record is 2.4 m.

The quiz

1. Who reported that this snake could outpace a running person?

• Zoologist Steve Irwin
• Naturalist David Fleay (correct)
• Naturalist David Attenborough
• Herpetologist Eric Worrell

Naturalist David Fleay reported it could outpace a person running at full speed.

2. What is the winter rest called?

• Brumation (correct)
• Migration
• Aestivation
• Moulting

Spending the winter resting in a burrow is called brumation.

3. How many snakes were found under one 5 m x 3 m slab?

• 3
• 6
• 13 (correct)
• 30

They shelter in groups: 13 snakes were found together under one concrete slab.

4. How long do eggs take to hatch at 30 °C?

• 95 days
• 14 days
• 140 days
• 36 days (correct)

Warmth speeds up the eggs: at 25 °C they hatch after 95 days, but at 30 °C in just 36 days.

5. How long do most adult eastern brown snakes measure?

• Around 0.5 m
• Around 1.5 m (correct)
• Around 3 m
• Around 2.4 m

Most adults grow up to about 1.5 m. Some reach 2 m, and the record is 2.4 m.

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