The Barkly Tableland death adder (Acanthophis hawkei) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[2] The exact distribution of the species is unclear, but suitable habitat for the plains death adder consists of flat, treeless, cracking-soil riverine floodplains. [3] Based on the presence of suitable habitat, the potential geographic range for this species extends from Western Queensland, across the north of the Northern Territory to north-east Western Australia. Disjunct populations of the plains death adder are known to occur in the Mitchell Grass Downs of western Queensland, the Barkly Tableland on the Northern Territory/Queensland border and east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.[3] The snake is named after former Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke.[4]
| Barkly Tableland death adder | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Acanthophis |
| Species: | A. hawkei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophis hawkei Wells & Wellington, 1985
| |
A Protected Mobility Vehicle of the Australian Army, the Hawkei PMV, is named after the species.[5]
References edit
- ^ Greenlees, M.; Gillespie, G.; Fenner, A.; Woinarski, J.; McDonald, P. (2018). "Acanthophis hawkei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T42492770A42492772. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T42492770A42492772.en. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Acanthophis hawkei at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Approved Conservation Advice for Acanthophis hawkei (plains death adder)" (PDF). Department of Environment and Energy. Department of Environment and Energy. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- ^ Wells, R. W.; Wellington, C. R. (1985). "A classification of the Amphibia and Reptilia of Australia" (PDF). Australian Journal of Herpetology. Supplementary Series. 1: 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Hawkei Light Protected Vehicle - Army Technology". www.army-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
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