Two intriguing critters were found on local farms recently, with the discoverers curious about their identities.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Coonabarabran and Coonamble's local snake-wrangler Mark (Mooch) Ewers have confirmed that it is just one colour variation of the Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) also known as the King Brown Snake.

It is Australia’s largest terrestrial venomous snake and is found in all states and territories except Victoria and Tasmania.

According to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, who hold no concerns for their survival, ‘they are highly adaptable and able to survive in human-modified environments such as wheat fields, rubbish dumps and vacated buildings.’

They enjoy regions where buffel grass has been introduced due to the dense, year-round cover it provides.

Just remember that the king brown snake is highly venomous at any age.

PHOTO: Not a snake but a pygopus.

Not a snake

The snake-looking reptile above was disturbed under a clod in a cultivation paddock south-west of Coonamble a few weeks ago.

It has dark symmetrical scales on the top of it’s head which give it a ‘hooded appearance’.

NPWS believe it to be an Eastern Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi) which is a species of flap-footed lizard.

Pygopods or legless lizards have no forelimbs but have ‘retained vestigial hind limbs’ in the form of small scaly flaps that are usually held flat on either side of the body - not helpful if you’re trying to work out if its a snake.

Another way is to take a closer look at the head and ask it to open its mouth - they have ear-openings (which snakes lack) and broad fleshy tongues that they use to lick the clear ‘spectacles’ that cover their lidless eyes.

If you’d like to roll it over and tickle its tummy Pygopods have scales on their belly that are the same size as adjacent scales and larger scales that are in a paired series whereas most snakes have one series of enlarged, transverse scales.

Apparently the closest relative of Pygopods are geckos.

They have a similar skull and inner ear, lay two similar eggs, and share a voice in the form of a ‘squeak’.

In NSW, the hooded scaly-foot is rare in the Murray Catchment, but is found in other inland areas of native grasslands and grassy woodlands.

If you find any other interesting animals in our region please Contact Us