Gould's hooded snake (Suta gouldii), also known commonly as the black-headed snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Western Australia.[1]
Etymology
The specific name, gouldii, is in honor of English ornithologist John Gould.[3]
Description
Adults of S. gouldii have an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 30 cm (12 in), and the length of the tail is on average 13.3% SVL. The maximum recorded SVL is 47 cm (19 in).[4]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of S. gouldii are forest, shrubland, grassland, and rocky areas.[1]
Reproduction
S. gouldii is viviparous.[2]
Venom
Although S. gouldii is venomous, its bite is considered to be of lesser medical significance. A life-threatening envenomation is unlikely, but a debilitating injury is possible.[5]
References
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^ a b c Craig M, Gaikhorst G, Valentine L, Sanderson C (2017). "Parasuta gouldii ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T102718242A102719161. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T102718242A102719161.en. Downloaded on 23 January 2020
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^ a b Species Parasuta gouldii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
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^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Suta gouldii, p. 104).
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^ Storr GM (1981). "The Denisonia gouldii species-group (Serpentes, Elapidae) in Western Australia". Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 (4): 501–515. (Denisonia gouldii, pp. 508–512, Figure 4).
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^ Bush, Brian; Maryan, Brad (2006). Snakes and Snake-like Reptiles of Southern Western Australia: A guide to their identification and medical significance for outdoor workers: An important resource for every regional medical professional. Stoneville, Perth, Western Australia: Snakes Harmful & Harmless. 40 pp. ("Gould's Hooded Snake", p. 23, Figure 40).