Scientific Name of Tiger Snake

Tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) are a large group of distinct populations, which may be isolated or overlapping, with extreme variance in size and color. Individuals also show seasonal variation in color. The total length is typically about 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) The patterning is darker bands, strongly contrasting or indistinct, which are pale to very dark in color. Colouration is olive, yellow, orange-brown, or jet-black, and the underside of the snake is light yellow or orange. 

Key Takeaways: Tiger Snake, Taxonomy, Zoology, Black Tiger Snake, Eastern Tiger Snake

---

Taxonomy of Tiger Snake

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

There are various types of Tiger Snakes and they have different characteristics.Therefore, the scientific names of the Tiger Snakes vary from one type to the other. Before understanding their scientific names, let’s have a look at their basic taxonomy-

Read More: Classification of Animal Kingdom

Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)

---

Characteristics of Tiger Snake

[Click Here for Previous year's Questions]

Here are the basic characteristics of an Tiger Snake-

• Tiger Snakes are thick-bodied solid snakes; they are usually around 1 m long but may grow up to 1.5 m. 
• Their head is slightly wider and distinct from their neck. 
• Tiger Snake's main body colour ranges from grey-brown to black. 
• However, their body colouration cannot be used as a sole method of identification, as there are many variations. 
• Tiger Snakes are often marked by a series of dark brown and yellow-brown bands, but they may or may not be present. 
• Their underbelly is generally lighter than the main body and unbanded.

Read More:

---

Habitat of Tiger Snakes

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

• Tiger snakes are usually found in coastal regions, where they favour wetlands, creeks, dams, and other habitat around watercourses, or at shelter near permanent sources of water in pastoral areas. 
• Habitat providing an abundance of prey can support large populations. 
• The species' distribution extends from the south of Western Australia through to South Australia, Tasmania, up through Victoria, and New South Wales. 
• It’s common habitat includes the coastal areas of Australia.

---

Facts about Tiger Snakes

[Click Here for Previous Year's Questions]

• Tiger snakes can reach 3 to 7 feet long. Males are larger than females.
• Color of the tiger snake depends on the habitat. Dorsal side of the body are often brown, black, grey and yellow coloured and covered with alternate dark and lightweight stripes. Belly is usually yellow or orange-coloured. Some tiger snakes lack stripes. Uniformly coloured tiger snakes are often yellowish-brown or completely black coloured.
• Most tiger snakes that are dark-coloured are covered with yellow stripes, hence the name "tiger snakes".
• Tiger snakes have a wide head and powerful, muscular body covered with partially-glossy scales.
• Tiger snake is an active animal during the daytime. 
• Tiger snake spends most of its life on the bottom (terrestrial animal), but it can easily hop on trees and various man-made objects. Tiger snake is additionally ready to swim and dive. This animal has the capability to spend 9 minutes under the water without returning to the surface to breathe.

---

Subspecies of Tiger Snakes

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Tiger snakes use venom to kill prey, and may also bite an aggressor; they are potentially fatal to humans. Tolerant of low temperatures, the snake may be active on warmer nights. When threatened, they flatten their bodies and raise their heads above the ground in a classic prestrike stance.

These are the most widely accepted subspecies:

• Mainland tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) - Found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
• Black tiger snake (Notechis ater) - Found in Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.

The other subspecies are:

1. Eastern Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus scutatus) - Found in the southeastern region of mainland Australia.
2. Western Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) - Found in the southwest part of Western Australia.
3. Krefft’s Tiger Snake (Notechis ater ater) - Found in Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
4. Tasmanian Tiger Snake (Notechis ater humphreysi) - Found in King and Tasmania islands.
5. Peninsular Tiger Snake (Notechis ater niger) - Found in the Yorke and lower Eyre Peninsulas and offshore islands of South Australia.
6. Chappell Island Tiger Snake (Notechis ater serventyi) - Found in Chappell Island in Furneaux Group located in the Bass Strait.

Read More:

---

Things To Remember

• The Elapidae snake family includes the very poisonous tiger snake. 
• Australia and Tasmania are home to these snakes. 
• The snake may reach a length of 1.2 metres. 
• Scientific name of tiger snakes are - Notechis scutatus
• The venom of the tiger snake generally consists of a mixture of proteins which can cause paralysis and breathing difficulties if exposed to.

---

Previous Year Questions

1. Phenetic classification is based, on (MU OET 2012)
2. The first phylogenetic system of plant classification was proposed by (JIMPER 2004)
3. Karyotaxonomy is the modern branch of classification which is bassed on (MU OET 2013)
4. The label of a herbarium sheet does not carry information on  (NEET 2016)
5. The correct sequence of taxonomic hierarchy is (KCET 2018)
6. Which of the following pairs of specific names belongs to same common genus?
7. The scientist widely regarded as the triple crown of biology (AMUEEE 2015)
8. Read the statements given below and identify the incorrect statement (KCET 2012)
9. Reason of diversity in living beings is (NEET 2001)
10. Edaphology is (KCET 2007)