Oxyuranus scutellatus Peters, 1867

Common Name and Length Ranking

This species, commonly known as the coastal taipan, is the second-longest venomous snake in Australia, ranking only behind the king brown snake (Pseudechis australis).

Sexual Maturity Size Threshold

Adult coastal taipans typically reach sexual maturity at a total length (including the tail) of around 1.2 m (3.9 ft).

Typical Adult Length Range

More mature adults grow to between 1.5 and 2.0 m (4.9 and 6.6 ft). Other taipan species, including the inland taipan, reach broadly similar sizes, but tend to have a slightly smaller average size.

Average Weight for 2m Specimen

An average coastal taipan with a total length of 2.0 m (6.6 ft) weighs around 3.0 kg (6.6 lb).

Recorded Maximum Specimen Size

According to the Queensland Museum, the longest recorded total length for a confirmed coastal taipan specimen is 2.9 m (9.5 ft), with a weight of 6.5 kg (14 lb). While exceptionally rare, it is widely believed that much larger specimens exist, including individuals reaching up to 3.3 m (11 ft).

Head Morphology

O. scutellatus has a long, narrow head with an angular brow, and its face is lighter in colour than the rest of the body.

Body Shape and Base Coloration

Its body is slender, and body colouration varies between individuals. It is often uniformly light olive or reddish-brown, but some specimens range from dark gray to black.

Ventral Side Markings

Body colour lightens along the sides, and the ventral (belly) side is usually creamy-white to pale light yellow, often marked with orange or pink flecks.

Seasonal Colour Change

Individual coastal taipans undergo seasonal colour changes, darkening in winter and fading to a lighter shade in summer.

Eye Characteristics

Their eyes are large, round, and light brown or hazel in colour, with large pupils.

Similar Species Resemblance

As a large, brownish snake, the coastal taipan resembles the eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis), northern brown snake (P. nuchalis), and king brown snake.

Species Distinguishing Features

However, it can be distinguished from these similar species by its larger head, narrow neck, and light-coloured face and snout; in the other similar species, the head and neck are the same width.

Conservation Status

The coastal taipan is classified as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Overall Geographic Range

It occurs in northern Australia and southern New Guinea.

Australian Distribution Range

In Australia, its range extends from north-western Western Australia through the Northern Territory, across Cape York Peninsula, and south along eastern Queensland into northern New South Wales, reaching as far south as Grafton.

Temperature Range Limitation

The coastal taipan is not found in regions where the maximum winter temperature is below 20 °C (68 °F).

New Guinea Subspecies Distribution

The second subspecies, O. s. canni, lives across the full island of New Guinea, with higher populations found in Papua New Guinea.

General Habitat Climate

The coastal taipan inhabits a variety of habitats, all within warm, wetter, temperate to tropical coastal regions.

Typical Habitat Types

It can be found in monsoon forests, wet and dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and both natural and artificial grassy areas, including grazing paddocks and disused rubbish tips.

Population Trend Post Cane Toad Introduction

It appears to have become more common since the cane toad was introduced to the region in 1935.

Hypotheses for Population Increase

It is unclear whether this increase comes from reduced competition (as other large venomous snakes have declined after being poisoned by cane toads), or from an increased rodent food supply.

Sugarcane Field Adaptation

The species has adapted well to sugarcane fields, where it thrives feeding on the local rodent population.

Cape York Peninsula Habitat Preference

In Far North Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, it is usually found in open woodland areas. It also favours thickets of the introduced plant Lantana.

Shelter Sites

The coastal taipan shelters in abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs, and piles of vegetation and litter.

Breeding Season Timing

The coastal taipan's breeding season runs from August to December.

Reproductive Mode and Clutch Size

It is oviparous, laying a clutch of 7 to 20 eggs per breeding cycle.

Egg Incubation and Hatchling Size

The eggs take 60 to 80 days to hatch, and newly hatched snakes measure between 30 and 34 cm (12 to 13 in) in length.

Juvenile Growth Rate

Young coastal taipans grow quickly, averaging 6.7 cm (2.6 in) of growth per month, and reach a length of 1.0 m (3.3 ft) within their first year.

Male Sexual Maturity Timeline

Males reach sexual maturity at a length of 80 cm, which they typically achieve around 16 months of age.

Female Sexual Maturity Timeline

Females become able to breed when they reach around 100 cm in length, which usually occurs around 28 months of age.