Ryan Photographic - Elapidae - Front-fanged snakes
Family Elapidae
Currently around 325 species of Elapid snakes in 61 genera are recognized. New species are being found on a regular basis so this figure will not remain static. Elapid snakes are found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and range in size from the giant king cobra which reaches 5.6 m (18.5 feet for those of you who still use this quaint and antiquated system) to 18 cm (7 inch) crowned snakes. They all possess a pair of front-mounted hollow teeth in the upper jaw and these are connected to venom glands. They range in toxicity from some of the world's most venomous snakes (Australia's inland taipan) through to the relatively innocuous (Ogmodon or bolo, the Fijian burrowing snake). Elapids include amongst their number sea snakes and some of these are highly venomous. Although the sea kraits are relatively placid and can be handled with care, this is not recommended as a beginner could easily confuse them with the more aggressive hydrophiine seasnakes - or snee snakes as I always seem to say it.
Acanthophis antarcticus Common death adder
The Australian common death adder, Acanthophis antarcticus, is a sit and wait predator. Hidden in leaves, it curls its thin tail near its head and wiggles it to attract curious animals. Because of this cryptic behavior it is likely to envenomate people more often than some of the other highly venomous snakes as it can easily be trodden on. Captive specimen.
Dendroaspis angusticeps Green mamba
Captive green mamba
Dendroaspis jamesoni Jameson's blacktailed mamba
Captive specimen
Dendroaspis viridis West African green mamba
Captive specimen
Hoplocephalus bungaroides Broad-headed snake
The broad-headed snake is the only snake in Australia that is considered endangered. It lives in sandstone escarpments near Sydney and the slabs are prized for landscaping.
Hydrophis coggeri Pacific yellow-banded seasnake
Hydrophis coggeri, Pacific Yellow-banded seasnake, is named after Hal Cogger, an extraordinary Australian herpetologist. Hal was always happy to help us with identifications. This, and the following photos, were taken on the seagrass beds in Laucala Bay, Fiji.
Hydrophis coggeri in low tide seagrass in Laucala Bay
Hydrophis coggeri dorsal view
Hydrophis coggeri lateral view of head.
Laticauda colubrina Yellow-lipped seakrait
Yellow-lipped sea krait resting on land, Fiji
Yellow-lipped seakrait on land. Fiji.
 Kadavu, Fiji.-3621 TP med res.jpg)
Yellow-lipped seakrait, dadakulaci diving, Kadavu
Yellow-lipped seakrait, Laticauda colubrina, Puerto Galera, Philippines
Head shot of yellow-lipped sea krait Puerto Galera, Philippines
 Kadavu, Fiji.-3630 TP med res.jpg)
Yellow-lipped sea krait heading to the surface, Kadavu, Fiji.
Laticauda crockeri Lake Tenggano seakrait
Male Laticauda crockeri, Lake Tenggano, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands
Male Laticauda crockeri, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands
Female Laticauda crockeri, Lake Tenggano
Female Laticauda crockeri Lake Tenggano, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands
My guide with a male Lake Tenggano seakrait which he has just captured.
Laticauda schistorhyncha Central Pacific seakrait
An aggregation of Central Pacific seakraits, Laticauda schistorhyncha, in Niue. The purpose of such aggregations is unknown but probably some sort of mating behavior.
Close up of Central Pacific Seakrait, Niue (underwater).
Close-up of Central Pacific Seakrait head, Niue (underwater)
Central Pacific Seakrait with diver (Warren Searell), Niue
Ogmodon vitianus Bolo
Adult bolo, rare endemic Fijian snake, Ogmodon vitiensis. Found mostly in the Namosi Valley these snakes are rarely seen.
Adult Ogmodon vitianus a rare Fijian burrowing snake.
Juvenile Ogmodon vitianus
Juvenile Ogmodon lateral
Lateral of juvenile Ogmodon vitianus head
Dorsal view of juvenile Ogmodon vitianus head
Ophiophagus hannah King cobra
Ophiophagus hannah King cobra. Captive.
Pelamis platura Yellow-bellied seasnake
Beached yellow-bellied seasnake, Pelamis platura, Fiji
Pelamis platura, Yellow-bellied seasnake, forequarters, Fiji