tiger snake

tiger snake
either of two highly venomous snakes, Notechis scutatus and N. ater, of Australia and Tasmania, that grow to a length of 5 ft. (1.5 m).
[1870-75]

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      Australian member of the cobra family, Elapidae. The snake's venom, which contains a blood-clotting agent as well as a nerve paralyzer, is potentially fatal to humans. Before striking, the tiger snake flattens its head and neck, cobra fashion.

      Tiger snakes occur in moist areas and in dry, rocky habitats of southern Australia and adjacent islands. They are represented by a variety of distinct populations that probably correspond to two, or perhaps more, species. The eastern tiger snake (N. scutatus) is the most widely distributed form, occurring from Victoria and New South Wales to portions of South and Western Australia. The black tiger snake (N. ater) is mainly limited to arid and rocky regions in South Australia. Tiger snakes eat frogs, birds, and mammals, and all attain adult lengths of 1 to 1.5 metres (3 to 5 feet). They are live-bearers.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tiger snake — Tiger Ti ger, n. [OE. tigre, F. tigre, L. tigris, Gr. ti gris; probably of Persian origin; cf. Zend tighra pointed, tighri an arrow, Per. t[=i]r; perhaps akin to E. stick, v. t.; probably so named from its quickness.] 1. A very large and powerful …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tiger snake — n a widely distributed extremely venomous elapid snake (Notechis scutatus) of Australia and Tasmania that is predominantly brown with dark crossbars * * * Notechis scutatus …   Medical dictionary

  • Tiger snake — For the African snake, see Telescopus semiannulatus. Tiger snake Notechis sp. Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • tiger snake — noun highly venomous brown and yellow snake of Australia and Tasmania • Syn: ↑Notechis scutatus • Hypernyms: ↑elapid, ↑elapid snake • Member Holonyms: ↑Notechis, ↑genus Notechis * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • tiger snake eel — tigrinis aštriauodegis ungurys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Myrichthys tigrinus angl. tiger snake eel rus. тигровый мирихт; тигровый острохвостый угорь ryšiai: platesnis terminas – tigriniai… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • tiger snake — noun a deadly Australian snake, typically marked with brown and yellow bands. [Notechis scutatus.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • tiger snake — noun Any of several large venomous Australian snakes of the genus Notechis …   Wiktionary

  • tiger snake — /ˈtaɪgə sneɪk/ (say tuyguh snayk) noun any of several highly venomous snakes (Notechis species) found in southern mainland Australia, Tasmania and Bass Strait islands, of various shades of brown, tan, olive or grey, sometimes with creamy bands,… …  

  • Tiger — Ti ger, n. [OE. tigre, F. tigre, L. tigris, Gr. ti gris; probably of Persian origin; cf. Zend tighra pointed, tighri an arrow, Per. t[=i]r; perhaps akin to E. stick, v. t.; probably so named from its quickness.] 1. A very large and powerful… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tiger beetle — Tiger Ti ger, n. [OE. tigre, F. tigre, L. tigris, Gr. ti gris; probably of Persian origin; cf. Zend tighra pointed, tighri an arrow, Per. t[=i]r; perhaps akin to E. stick, v. t.; probably so named from its quickness.] 1. A very large and powerful …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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