Maxillary bones extending forwards as far as the palatines, with a pair of large grooved poison-fangs followed by 2-5 small solid teeth; anterior mandibular teeth long. Head distinct from the neck; eyes rather small, with round pupils; nostril between two nasal shields. Body cylindrical. Scales smooth, in 17-23 rows (more on the neck). Tail moderate; subcaudals in 2 rows, or partly single, partly in 2 rows.
Fig. 51.—Pseudechis porphyriacus.
Total length, 1,500-2,000 millimetres, sometimes more.
Habitat: Australia and New Guinea.
This genus includes eight species.
(1) P. porphyriacus (Black Snake; [fig. 51]).—Frontal shield longer than broad; 180-200 ventrals; 50-60 subcaudals.
Colour black on the back; outer row of scales red at the base; ventrals red, edged with black.
(2) P. cupreus.—199-210 ventrals; 57-72 subcaudals.
Colour coppery above, brown or orange below, all the scales and shields edged with brown.