Black tiger otter
| Black tiger otter | ||||||||||||
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Black tiger otter ( N. ater ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Notechis ater | ||||||||||||
| ( Krefft , 1866) |
The black tiger otter ( Notechis ater ) is one of only two species of the genus of the tiger otter ( Notechis ), which belongs to the family of poisonous snakes (Elapidae). Like that of the common tiger otter ( N. scutatus ), their distribution is limited to southern Australia .
features
The black tiger otter reaches a maximum body length of about 1.50 meters and is slightly longer than the common tiger otter with up to about 1.20 meters. The basic color of the black tiger otter is always lacquer black, the underside is lighter gray to black.
The large, almost square frontal shield on the top of the head is characteristic of the genus . The anterior temporal is also very large and at least as long as the anterior . Subocularia are absent, but an internasal is formed. All body scales are smooth and form 17 and in rare cases up to 21 rows of scales in the middle of the body. The ventral side is formed from 155 to 190 ventralia . Both the anal shield and the 40 to 60 subcaudalia are undivided.
distribution
Tiger otters are found exclusively in the south of Australia, whereby the ranges of the two species do not overlap. The black tiger otter lives on the southwestern tip of Western Australia and in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia , on Tasmania and on other islands off the South Australian coast.
The snake lives primarily in the highlands and in coastal areas and is found there in a number of different habitats. You can find them in dry and stony areas as well as in the marshland and the dune areas of the coast.
Way of life
The black tiger otter is primarily active during the day and at dawn, and night activity occurs on particularly hot days. It feeds mainly on frogs and small mammals, some populations are also known as cannibalistic. Island populations in particular feed seasonally on the offspring of the nesting seabirds. The offspring is born alive, the snake is correspondingly ovoviviparous .
Snake venom
The tiger otters are considered to be very dangerous snakes because they have a very potent venom and also come into frequent contact with humans. Accordingly, a very large proportion of fatal snake bite accidents in Australia can be traced back to the two species of this genus. Despite these numbers, they are considered to be less aggressive and only attack when there is a malfunction.
An antivenin against the poison of the tiger otters was developed very early and the composition and effects of snake venom have been very well researched.
literature
- Harold G. Cogger: Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. 6th edition. Ralph Curtis Books, Sanibel, Florida 2000, ISBN 0-88359-048-4 , pp. 658-660.
