Cacophis

Cacophis is a genus of venomous snakes, commonly known as crowned snakes, in the family Elapidae. The genus is endemic to Australia.

Cacophis
Cacophis squamulosus, golden-crowned snake
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Subfamily:	Hydrophiinae
Genus:	Cacophis Günther, 1863
Species
Four, see text.

Description

All species of Cacophis have a distinct "crown" pattern on the head, which gives them their common names. They are venomous, but not dangerous to people.

Species

The following four species are recognized as being valid.^[1]

• Cacophis churchilli Wells & Wellington, 1985 – northern dwarf crowned snake – northeastern Queensland
• Cacophis harriettae Krefft, 1869 – white-crowned snake – eastern Queensland, northeastern New South Wales
• Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863 – dwarf crowned snake – southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales
• Cacophis squamulosus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854) – golden-crowned snake – eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory

Nota bene: In the above list, a binomial authority in parentheses indicate that the species was originally described in a genus other than Cacophis.

Distribution and habitat

Species of Cacophis are distributed along eastern Australia.^[2] They inhabit a variety of forest types, from woodland to rainforest.

Behaviour

Cacophis species are generally nocturnal and feed on lizards and reptile eggs.