Tiger snakes are a highly poisonous species found in Australia’s Southern regions. Tiger snakes are named because they have tiger-like stripes. Typically, their fangs are 3.5-5 mm long. They can quickly move through the water. Tiger Snakes are solid snakes with thick bodies, around 1 m in length, but can grow up to 1.5 m. It is classified as vulnerable as it may become an endangered species.
All tiger snakes belong to the family of genus Notechis, but the widely dispersed populations and their diverse characteristics have resulted in being described as distinct species. The population of tiger snakes is in a large group of distinct species that can be isolated or overlapped, with extreme size and color variations.
Interesting facts about Tiger Snake:
- Tiger snakes can length up to 3 to 7 feet. Males are more relatively larger than females.
- These snakes are a diurnal animal (active in the daytime).
- They spend most of their time on the ground (terrestrial animals), but can easily climb trees and other objects made by man. They can swim and dive, as well. It can spend 9 minutes underwater without breathing back to the surface.
- These snakes are a meat-eating carnivore. It’s diet consists of mammals, birds, frogs, fish, and lizards.
- The tiger snake can survive in captivity for 10 to 15 years.
- During the winter, the tiger snake occasionally basks in the sun to raise body temperature and to gain the energy required.
Decrease in population of tiger snakes
The tiger snake population seems to have a hard time. Tiger snakes usually live around water because frogs are their primary source of food. They give birth to live offspring, and a woman can give birth to several tens of young per year. The numbers used to be very large as a result. The demise of tiger snakes was habitat loss and the decline in habitat along watercourses and wetlands. Their issue was increased by the worldwide reduction in the number of frogs, which was their favorite food. There are still uncertain reasons for this, but there is increasing concern regarding the use of certain herbicides that have been shown to cause genetic abnormalities in frogs.
Winding up
Tiger snakes used to be the most common cause of deaths in Australia from the snake bite. The Eastern Brown Snake has now taken over that position. The reason for that is related to the different food preferences of these snakes. Tiger snakes are often fond of eating frogs. Unfortunately, the number of frogs decreased dramatically due to habitat modification, clearance, disease, and introduced predators. A considerable number of tiger snakes followed this trend and have now become one of the endangered species.
