a small Australian snake, Elapognathus minor,. It has no close relatives and is seen only in the far southwestern corner of Western Australia, where it shelters in low bushes. Adults are seldom longer than 16 inches (40 centimeters). The head of the little brown snake is small with large round eyes. The body is moderately stout and is covered with large, smooth scales. Body coloration is brown and fades to olive on the sides. The neck often has a wide yellow collar with a black stripe in the middle. The lip area is yellow and the tail tip is bright red. The little brown snake is classified as a member of the Elapidae, which also contains the cobras. Like all elapids, the little brown snake has two fixed, hollow fangs that deliver a paralyzing venom. The snake is active in the daytime and feeds on lizards and frogs. It is not considered dangerous to humans. The young are born live in litters of 8 to 12. (See also Elapid.) |