Monk snake

The monk snake (Suta monachus), also known commonly as the hooded snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to central and western Australia.^[1]

Monk snake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Suta
Species:	S. monachus
Binomial name
Suta monachus (Storr, 1964)
Synonyms[2]
Denisonia monachus Storr, 1964 Suta monachus — McDowell, 1970 Unechis monachus — Cogger, 1975 Rhinoplocephalus monachus — Storr, 1984 Parasuta monachus — Greer, 2006

Geographic range

Within Australia, S. monachus is found in the states and territories of Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of S. monachus are savanna and shrubland.^[1]

Description

The average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of adults of S. monachus is 27 cm (11 in), and the length of the tail is about 13% SVL. The maximum recorded SVL is 46 centimetres (18 in). The top of the head is solid glossy black, without any pale markings. On average, this black "hood" extends on the nape to the fourth vertebral scale, but may extend only to the first or as far as the sixth. The body and tail are brick red dorsally, and white ventrally. The upper labials are white also. There is only one posterior temporal scale.^[3]

Diet

S. monachus preys upon lizards.^[4]

Reproduction

S. monachus is viviparous.^[2]

Venom

Although S. monachus is venomous, its bite is considered to be of lesser medical significance. A life-threatening envenomation is unlikely, but a debilitating injury is possible.^[4]