Editing Austrelaps

{{Short description|Genus of snakes}}
{{automatic Taxobox
 | image               = Austrelaps labialis.jpg
 | image_caption       = ''[[Austrelaps labialis]]''
 | taxon               = Austrelaps
 | authority           = [[Eric Worrell|Worrell]], 1963
 | type_species        =''[[Lowland copperhead|Austrelaps superbus]]''
}}

'''''Austrelaps''''' is a [[genus]] of [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Elapidae|elapid]] snakes native to the relatively fertile, temperate, southern and eastern part of the [[Australia]]n continent. Three species are currently recognized, with no subspecies. They are commonly called '''copperheads''' or '''Australian copperheads'''. They are not closely related to the American copperhead, ''[[Agkistrodon contortrix]]''.

==Description==
There are three species of Australian copperheads: the [[pygmy copperhead]], the [[highland copperhead]], and the [[lowland copperhead]]. The pygmy copperhead is {{convert|60|cm|ft|abbr=on}} long, and lives in [[South Australia]] and on [[Kangaroo Island]]. The highland copperhead is {{convert|1.25|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and lives in alpine areas of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and [[New South Wales]]. The lowland copperhead reaches {{convert|1.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length and lives in southern Victoria into [[Tasmania]]. Their colour varies a great deal, from a coppery mid-brown to yellowish, reddish, grey or even black, depending on the individual. The copper head colouring that gave rise to the common name is not always present. Some individuals also have visible markings just behind the head. Perhaps in consequence of their great variation, it was not realised until the second half of the 20th century that there were three different [[species]]. Venom toxicity has been measured at 0.5&nbsp;mg/kg subcutaneous, at least for the lowland copperhead.

==Common names==
Common names include copperhead, diamond snake, superb snake, lowland snake, and highland snake.

==Distribution and habitat==
Copperheads are well adapted to cooler climates; they remain active after most reptiles have become dormant, and are the first to resume hunting at the end of winter. Their favoured habitat is near water. While they are moderately uncommon elsewhere, they congregate in substantial numbers where conditions are suitable.

==Behaviour==
Copperheads are [[diurnal animal|diurnal]] at most times of year, but switch to night hunting in hot weather.

===Diet===
Copperheads are very much at home in the water; they swim well and often hunt tadpoles. They are generalised carnivores and will take any suitably-sized prey, including their own young, but the major diet item is [[frog]]s. Where frogs are common, so too are copperheads, and other snakes tend to be rare.

===Breeding===
Breeding starts in spring, and females give birth in late summer to about 14 live young, each a little under {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.

===Venom===
Like all elapids (members of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Elapidae]]), Australian copperheads have hollow, fixed fangs mounted at the front of the jaw. They are shy and retiring by nature, and prefer to escape rather than fight where escape is possible.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lowland Copperhead Snake |url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/reptiles-and-frogs/tasmanian-snakes/lowland-copperhead-snake |website=Wildlife Management |publisher=Tasmanian Government |accessdate=2020-10-12 |archive-date=2020-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811014417/https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/reptiles-and-frogs/tasmanian-snakes/lowland-copperhead-snake |url-status=dead }}</ref> Their venom is, by Australian standards, only moderately toxic (equal on a per-mg basis to that of the [[Indian cobra]]). Nevertheless, they deliver a substantial quantity of venom, and a copperhead bite left untreated can easily kill a healthy adult human. There is no specific copperhead antivenom, but [[tiger snake]] antivenom is effective.

==Species==
{|cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
! style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Image
! style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Species
! style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Authority
! style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Common name
! style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Geographic range
|-
|[[File:Austrelaps labialis head.JPG|120px]]
|''[[Pygmy copperhead|A. labialis]]''
|([[Giorgio Jan|Jan]], 1859)
|pygmy copperhead
|[[Australia]] ([[South Australia]])
|-
|[[File:Highlands Copperhead (21677870211).jpg|120px]]
|''[[Highland copperhead|A. ramsayi]]''
|([[Gerard Krefft|Krefft]], 1864)
|highland copperhead
|Australia ([[New South Wales]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]])
|-
|[[File:LowlandcopperheadMullawallah.jpg|120px]]
|''[[Lowland copperhead|A. superbus]]''
|([[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1858)
|lowland copperhead
|Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, [[Tasmania]], Victoria)
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Austrelaps}}
* {{EMBL genus|genus=Austrelaps}}
* Integrated Taxonomic Information System - [https://archive.today/20110811141532/http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=700205 Austrelaps]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q195588}}

[[Category:Austrelaps| ]]
[[Category:Snakes of Australia]]
[[Category:Snake genera]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Eric Worrell]]