Smooth-scaled death adder

The smooth-scaled death adder (Acanthophis laevis) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Smooth-scaled death adder
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Acanthophis
Species:	A. laevis
Binomial name
Acanthophis laevis Macleay, 1878
Synonyms
List Acanthophis cerastinus ceramensis Gunther, 1863 Acanthophis antarcticus laevis Worrell, 1961 Acanthophis barnetti Hoser, 1998 Acanthophis crotalusei Hoser, 1998 Acanthophis groenveldi Hoser, 2002 Acanthophis macgregori Hoser, 2002 Acanthophis yuwoni Hoser, 2002 Acanthophis ceramensis Wallach et al., 2014

Acanthophis laevis is an ambush predator, lying in wait to capture fast-moving prey like mammals and lizards. Death adders (genus Acanthophis) have a broad diet, mainly consisting of frogs, lizards, and mammals. Females grow larger than males; tail length and head shape also differ between sexes in some species.^[1]

Distribution and habitat

A. laevis is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.^[2]

Reproduction

A. laevis is ovoviviparous.^[2]