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Shovel-nosed snakes
Brachyurophis - Günther, 1863

Pronunciation: BRACK-ee-your-OH-fis
Etymology: 'short-tailed snake'

Taxonomic notes:

Members of this genus were previously placed in Simoselaps.

Notes:
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 8 out of 8 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: Arnhem shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis morrisi) at 23 cm
 Longest Australian species: Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis) at up to 50 cm
Number of Australian species: 8
 

north-western shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis approximans)
Exmouth, Western Australia
Photo © David Fischer
north-western shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis approximans) distribution range map Brachyurophis approximans
North-western shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Glauert 1954)
Description
Brown to reddish-brown with a series of broad, dark bands beginning at the base of the neck and continuing down the length of the body; bands are much wider than pale interspaces, and typically end on lower flanks. Broad, blackish bands are present on the head and nape. Belly is whitish.

Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis)
Westmar, Queensland
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis) distribution range map Brachyurophis australis
Australian coral snake
Year described
(Krefft 1864)
Description
Red to reddish-brown with a broad, dark band on both the head and nape. The pattern consists of narrow bands comprised of pale yellow to white, dark-edged scales; belly whitish.

Cape York shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis campbelli)
Aurukun, Queensland
Photo © Anders Zimny
Cape York shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis campbelli) distribution range map Brachyurophis campbelli
Cape York shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Kinghorn 1929)
Description
Variable; colouration ranges from reddish-brown to orange; the head and nape are marked with dark bars, followed by dark bands of similar width to pale interspaces, running the length of the body. Belly whitish.

narrow-banded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis fasciolatus)
Perth, Western Australia
Photo © Jordan Vos
narrow-banded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis fasciolatus) distribution range map Brachyurophis fasciolatus
Narrow-banded shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Günther 1872)
Description
Whitish to cream ground colouration interrupted by numerous narrow, irregular dark bands with red and black flecks in interspaces. Large, dark bars are present on the head and nape, with the nuchal bar varying in width between the two subspecies; B. f. fasciolatus has a broad nuchal bar, ranging from 7-15 scales in width, whereas B. f. fasciatus possesses a narrower bar, 3-6 scales in width.

unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus)
Augathella, Queensland
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus) distribution range map Brachyurophis incinctus
Unbanded shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Storr 1968)
Description
Orange, pink to brown ground colouration; scales often dark-edged, giving the animal a faint reticulated appearance; belly cream coloured. A dark band is present across the head, and another across the nape, but otherwise no banding is present on the body.

Arnhem shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis morrisi)
Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory
Photo © Peter Street
Arnhem shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis morrisi) distribution range map Brachyurophis morrisi
Arnhem shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Horner 1998)
Description
A relatively small, orange-brown snake. Patterning consists of a broad, dark band across the nape and dark mottling between the eyes, but otherwise the body is unbanded; however, body scales are often dark-edged, giving the animal a faintly reticulated appearance.

northern shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis roperi)
Adelaide River, Northern Territory
Photo © Brendan Schembri
northern shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis roperi) distribution range map Brachyurophis roperi
Northern shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Kinghorn 1931)
Description
A relatively small, geographically variable snake, orange to reddish-brown above and possessing a series of broad, sometimes irregular, dark bands.

southern shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis semifasciatus)
Kimba, South Australia
Photo © David Fischer
southern shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis semifasciatus) distribution range map Brachyurophis semifasciatus
Southern shovel-nosed snake
Year described
(Günther 1864)
Description
Variable; colouration ranges from reddish-brown to orange; the head and nape are marked with dark bars, followed by dark bands of similar width to pale interspaces, running the length of the body. Belly whitish.

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