''Cacophis'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

venomous snake Venomous snakes are Species (biology), species of the Suborder (biology), suborder Snake, Serpentes that are capable of producing Snake venom, venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The v ...

s, commonly known as crowned snakes, in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Elapidae Elapidae (, commonly known as elapids ; grc, ἔλλοψ ''éllops'' "sea-fish") is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydoceph ...

. The genus is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

Description

All species of ''Cacophis'' have a distinct "crown" pattern on the head, which gives them their common names. They are

venomous Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

, but not dangerous to people.

Species

The following four species are recognized as being valid. *'' Cacophis churchilli'' – northern dwarf crowned snake - ne Queensland *'' Cacophis harriettae'' – white-crowned snake - e Queensland and ne NSW *''

Cacophis krefftii ''Cacophis krefftii'' is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Etymology The specific name, ''krefftii'', is in honor of German-born Australian naturalist Gerard Krefft. Common names Common n ...

'' – dwarf crowned snake - se Queensland and e NSW *''

Cacophis squamulosus The golden-crowned snake (''Cacophis squamulosus'') is a small species of venomous snake in the Family (biology), family Elapidae. The species is Endemism, endemic to Australia. Habitat Like other ''Cacophis'' species, the golden-crowned snake ...

'' – golden-crowned snake - e Queensland, e NSW and ACT ''

Nota bene (, or ; plural form ) is a Latin phrase meaning "note well". It is often abbreviated as NB, n.b., or with the ligature and first appeared in English writing . In Modern English, it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the atten ...

'': In the above list, a

binomial authority In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

in parentheses indicate that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Cacophis''.

Distribution and habitat

Species of ''Cacophis'' are distributed along eastern

. They inhabit a variety of forest types, from woodland to rainforest.

Behaviour

''Cacophis'' species are generally

nocturnal Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

and feed on

lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...

s and reptile eggs.

Description

Species

Distribution and habitat

Behaviour

References

Further reading