The Broad-Headed Snake
Fiona Haddock

The beautifully coloured Broad-headed Snake is suffering many pressures from poachers, habitat loss and fire.

True, snakes rarely win cute and cuddly awards - particularly those that are poisonous. Nevertheless, many would be concerned to know that, like so many other Australian natives, the Broad-Headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) is an endangered species at both the state and national level. These black and yellow venomous snakes have suffered a severe decline in population numbers and distributional extent. They are restricted to the Sydney Basin where they occur exclusively on Triassic sandstone outcrops and benches which run along exposed west to north-facing ridgetops.

Not surprisingly, humans have a lot to do with it. A lot of bush rock habitat has been lost to urban development, and much is still being removed from parks to decorate gardens, often by professional landscaping outfits. These rocks are essential for the Broad-Headed Snake’s survival. They serve as their home and also help shelter their prey, geckos, and, in turn, the geckos’ prey, spiders and insects, says the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, now part of the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Another issue from the Broad-Headed Snake is an unhealthy interest from reptile enthusiasts, says Meagan Ewings, senior threatened species officer in the Department of Environment and Conservation. “Amateurs like to keep them as pets,” she explains.

Bushfires are thought to be yet another threat. While Broadheads reside under exfoliated sandstone rocks and crevices during the cooler months of the year, they move to stem and branch hollows in trees in the warmer months - aside from juveniles and pregnant snakes. This leaves them vulnerable in the event of a fire when hollows burn and the animals get caught and burnt, although no one is very sure about the extent of this problem, Ewings says. “It’s unknown exactly what their response to fire is.”

Ecological burning might assist the snakes if areas around outcrops have become overgrown and are therefore overshadowing the snakes’ shelters. This shading can reduce the thermoregulatory capacity of the rocks during the cooler months. Says Ewings: “They need the warmth to be able to feed when prey comes into striking range; they are sitnd wait opportunistic feeders.”

But ultimately whether fire helps or hinders remains to be seen. The alternative, manual cutting back of vegetation, would be extremely intensive but may be necessary.

Building Knowledge
That’s where a recent study may help shed some light. Various research and habitat restoration projects are under way to help the species survive. “We have funding for two restoration projects with the University of Sydney and Southern Cross Uni. The University of Sydney has also been doing a lot with regards to species biology and ecology, population monitoring”, Meagan says. There is also funding for genetics, site protection, surveillance and education.

Where to from here?
There is still al lot to do, and Meagan has turned to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife for support for the next step in the snake’s recovery program.

Around Morton National Park, there are still some inaccessible areas that may provide quality habitat for the snakes and support healthy populations. Some of these sites can only be visited by helicopter, and it is important for scientists to know how the snakes are using this habitat that has essentially been untouched by humans. If these sites could be monitored, they might also provide some important insights into how the resident snakes respond to fire in an unaltered environment.

A major component of the species’ recovery program is looking at methods of restoring habitat particularly in denuded sites by habitat recreation trialling the use of artificial rock or natural rock replacement.

None of it is going to be easy, Ewing says. “They’re not one of the easiest species to survey and peering under rocks can be destructive in itself.” It also doesn’t help that they’re quite poisonous, she readily agrees.

There is still much to be done if the Broad-Headed Snake is to be saved. As their homes disappear, urgent action needs to be taken to protect their habitat, which includes educating the public. While this might change the minds of some “rock collectors”, there are those audiences that are very difficult to reach, according to Ewings. “It will be very difficult to change the mind of budding amateurs,” she says.

If you can help us give this species a chance, please make your donation by cheque or online and we will direct 100% of your donation to the wildlife emergency fund to go towards the species featured in this newsletter.

• Click here to donate online
• Mail to: (Click here to print a donation form)
  Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
  "Wildlife Emergency Fund"
  GPO Box 2666
  Sydney NSW 2001

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