SPECIES: Hoplocephalus bungaroides — Broad-headed Snake
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
With its striking black-and-yellow bands and secretive lifestyle, the Broad-headed Snake is one of Australia’s most elusive reptiles, and one of the most threatened. Endemic to New South Wales, this small venomous snake is found only in sandstone outcrops around Sydney and the Illawarra. During cooler months, it shelters in sun-warmed rock crevices. In summer, it moves into nearby woodlands to hunt small lizards and skinks. This delicate balance of seasonal habitats is crucial and under threat.
A master of camouflage and stealth, this snake is a vital part of its ecosystem — but it can't survive without its ancient sandstone homes. Illegal rock removal, urban development, and bushrock collection have decimated its rocky refuges. Add to this predation by foxes and cats, and the result is a steep population decline. Listed as endangered, the Broad-headed Snake is now hanging on in fragmented patches of habitat.