Dunmall's snake
Common name: Dunmall's snake
Scientific name: Furina dunmalli
Family: Elapidae
Conservation status: Dunmall's snake is listed as Vulnerable in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). It is ranked as a medium priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management ‘Back on Track’ species prioritisation framework.
Description
Dunmall's snake is a small to medium-sized snake of moderate build which grows to a total length of 60cm. Its uniform dark grey-brown colouration above fades to white on the lower sides. Pale blotches may be present on the upper lip scales. Body scales are smooth and light-edged and are in 21 rows on the mid-body. The head is large and distinct from the neck. This species may be confused with other snakes.
Habitat and distribution
Open forest and woodland, particularly brigalow Acacia harpophylla forest and woodland growing on floodplains of deep-cracking black clay and clay loam soils, provide habitat for this species. Most of the habitat supporting this species has been extensively modified for agriculture and grazing.
Dunmall's snake is endemic to Queensland and occurs in the south-eastern interior of Queensland, especially the Darling Downs. The species is restricted almost entirely to the southern half of the Brigalow Belt bioregion, and its range extends from Yeppoon and the Expedition Range in the north, to Oakey, Glenmorgan and Inglewood in the south. Most locality records are between 200 and 500 metres in altitude.
Diet
The species diet consists of small skinks and geckos.
Behaviour and life history
Little is known of the behavioural ecology of this species, however observations of captive specimens suggest it is docile, terrestrial (lives on the land) and nocturnal. It is active on the surface at night and seems to live in hidden or dark places, sheltering under fallen timber and possibly in leaf litter and earth cracks. Although venomous, it is reluctant to bite when harmed. The breeding season and clutch size of this species has not been recorded.
Threatening processes
Dunmall's snake is threatened by habitat loss due to land clearing and thinning operations, inappropriate road side management, and predation by feral animals. Potential threats include habitat degradation from pasture improvement and grazing activities.
Recovery actions
- Identify key habitat throughout the Queensland Brigalow Belt (QBB) bioregion and priority areas for conservation in local government regions and develop management guidelines to protect these areas on private and state-controlled land.
- Negotiate management agreements with landholders that are in line with recommended management guidelines to protect key habitat and priority areas.
- Implement monitoring programs in key habitat and priority conservation areas.
- Protect reptile habitat on the stock route network and shire roadsides and reserves
- Adopt a collaborative approach to reptile conservation and encourage involvement from government agencies, regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies, industry groups, indigenous groups, landholders and the community.
- Identify research priorities and investigate aspects of the species biology and ecology to increase knowledge and inform management.
- Conduct community awareness of this species and other priority reptile species in Queensland.
What can be done to help this species?
- Become involved in community-based on-ground projects (e.g. fencing remnants to reduce grazing impacts, weed and feral predator control, reptile monitoring and field surveys) and help protect habitat across a suite of land tenures, particularly on non-reserved lands.
- Help protect threatened reptiles in the QBB bioregion by supporting integrated pest management activities which seek to address feral animal threats (e.g. pigs, cats, foxes).
- In areas of known and potential habitat, implement appropriate grazing regimes to alleviate grazing pressure (if confirmed as a threat).
- Report sightings of this and other threatened reptiles of the QBB bioregion to the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) by contacting the WildNet Team (WildNet@derm.qld.gov.au or Ph: 07 3330 5484).
Last reviewed 23 February 2011
Last updated 19 July 2010