Peregrine Falcon ()

The Peregrine Falcon

This poisonous snake is a member of the cobra family. It grows to be about 50 centimeters, (20 inches), long and has a light coloured body with dark streaks or flecks, barred lips, and a white or cream belly.

The Ornamental Snake is found in the Brigalow Belt of Queensland in the drainage system of the Fitzroy and Dawson Rivers.  During a vertebrate survey of the Brigalow woodlands near the South Walker Creek flood plain a lot these nocturnal snakes were trapped or spotted at night but despite thorough searches could not be found during the day.  They prefer the Brigalow woodland where it grows on clay or sandy soils, woodlands near the riverside, and moist areas in general.

The Ornamental Snake's preference for moist areas is most likely because it eats almost exclusively frogs. It has been recorded eating several species of frogs and the only time anything other than a frog was recorded as food was once when the Ornamental Snake was recorded eating a centipede. It has also been observed that the Ornamental Snake will strike at frogs and some toads without eating them. We are not sure why this occurs but frogs that have been struck but not eaten suffer extensive cellular breakdown and resemble “bags of fluid.” It is interesting to note that in the same studies that observed the Ornamental Snake eating exclusively frogs it showed a definite preference for the type of frogs it was eating.  It was found eating 5 different species of frogs,  it had struck four other species of frog and one species of toad without eating them, and there were two species of frog present at the feeding site but neither had been touched. This snake is quite a picky eater.

The Ornamental Snake gives birth to live offspring, averaging 6.8 young per litter, (litter size ranges from 3 to 11 offspring). Mating habits and seasons are not readily available.

Further Information on the Peregrine Falcon:

Bibliography:

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon
http://users.tpg.com.au/users/vanh/peregrine.html
http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/peregrine-fact.html
http://teachit.acreekps.vic.edu.au/animals/peregrinefalcon.htm
http://www.australiazoo.com.au/australia_zoo/amazing_animals/animal_diaries/category.php?mnth-January&DID=1#820