Why Does Australia Have So Many Venomous Snakes? What Does Its Geography Have to Do With It?
Australia is in Oceania, with a developed economy and beautiful environment, attracting many people from our country to study and research there. When people mention Australia, even young children often think of 'Wombat Mum'. The cute kangaroo is a symbol of Australia. However, Australia also has a kind of animal – venomous snakes! What caused this?
Why are there so many venomous snakes in Australia?
As a result of biological evolution and selection, Australia separated from the mainland several million years ago, leading to limited natural conditions and slow biological evolution (venomous snakes are often ancient reptiles).
What kinds of venomous snakes are there in Australia?
1Western Brown Snake: Distributed in Australia, with a length of about 1.5 meters. It lives in forests, grasslands, and deserts, and feeds on small reptiles and small mammals. It is oviparous (egg-laying).
2Central Inland Carpet Python: Distributed in central Australia, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in dry plains and grasslands, and feeds on frogs, toads, and small mammals. It is oviparous (egg-laying).
3Southern Spiny-tailed Snake: Distributed in Australia, with a length of about 0.5 meters. It lives in dry, stony shrublands, feeds on birds and small mammals, and is viviparous (live birth).
4Black Tiger Snake: Distributed in Tasmania, southeastern Australia, with a length of about 1.2 meters. It lives in dunes, beaches, and grasslands, feeds on amphibians, birds, and small mammals, and is viviparous (live birth).
5Mulga Snake: Distributed in Australia, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in forests and grasslands, feeds on birds and small mammals, and is viviparous (live birth).
6Alternative Tiger Snake: Distributed in eastern Australia, with a length of about 1.2 meters. It lives in forests and grasslands, feeds on amphibians, and is viviparous (live birth).
7Ring Sea Snake: Distributed in northeastern Australia, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in the ocean, mainly feeds on fish, and is oviparous (egg-laying).
8Eastern Tiger Snake: Distributed in Australia, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in forests and grasslands, feeds on birds and small mammals, and is viviparous (live birth).
9Central Inland Carpet Python: Distributed in northern Australia and New Guinea, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in forests, and feeds on small mammals. It is oviparous (egg-laying).
10Brown Island Snake: Distributed in Australia, with a length of about 2 meters. It lives in forests and deserts, feeds on frogs, toads, and small mammals, and is viviparous (live birth).
102
