Black Snakes in GURPS

Pseudechis sp.

Black snakes are a genus of Australian elapids. Black snakes have a narrow hood similar to that of the cobra.

The well-known species of black snake are listed below. Of these, the mulga snake was chosen to represent the genus on the table of the main elapid page.

Species Typical venom Size Range Habitat Notes
Potency Type Typical Maximum
red-bellied black snake, P. porphyriacus mild neuro 10 500 g 1 kg Australia's east coast. Woodlands, forests, and swamps. One of the most commonly encountered black snakes, since it frequents urban areas. As its name implies, it has a bright red belly. Red bellied black snakes rarely inject a full dose of venom, so their bites are rarely lethal.
Mulga snake, P. australis mild neuro 10 1 kg 3 kg Throughout Australia except east and south coasts. Woodlands, hummock grasslands, scrub, and desert. The largest of the black snakes, although it is actually brown in color. Also known as a king brown snake.
Spotted mulga snake, P. butleri mild neuro 10 500 g 1 kg Inland Western Australia. Acacia woodlands, rocky outcrops. Yellow-brown with dark brown spots.
Blue-bellied black snake, P. gutattus mild neuro 5
necro 10
algesic 10 500 g 1 kg Inland Queensland and New South Wales. River floodplains, wetlands, woodlands, dry sclerophyll forest. Blue-black or brown-black, with dark blue-gray or black belly. Occasionally speckled tan and black (leading to an alternate name - the spotted black snake).
Collett's black snake, P. collettii mild neuro 5
necro 10
algesic 10 1 kg 3 kg Inland Queensland. Plains, arid barrens. Black with irregular red to orange-brown bands. Typically bright red at birth, which fades and darkens with maturity.
Papuan black snake, P. papuanus moderate neuro 10 500 g 1 kg Western New Guinea. Savanna All black in color.

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Species	Typical venom		Size		Range	Habitat	Notes
Species	Potency	Type	Typical	Maximum	Range	Habitat	Notes
red-bellied black snake, P. porphyriacus	mild	neuro 10	500 g	1 kg	Australia's east coast.	Woodlands, forests, and swamps.	One of the most commonly encountered black snakes, since it frequents urban areas. As its name implies, it has a bright red belly. Red bellied black snakes rarely inject a full dose of venom, so their bites are rarely lethal.
Mulga snake, P. australis	mild	neuro 10	1 kg	3 kg	Throughout Australia except east and south coasts.	Woodlands, hummock grasslands, scrub, and desert.	The largest of the black snakes, although it is actually brown in color. Also known as a king brown snake.
Spotted mulga snake, P. butleri	mild	neuro 10	500 g	1 kg	Inland Western Australia.	Acacia woodlands, rocky outcrops.	Yellow-brown with dark brown spots.
Blue-bellied black snake, P. gutattus	mild	neuro 5 necro 10 algesic 10	500 g	1 kg	Inland Queensland and New South Wales.	River floodplains, wetlands, woodlands, dry sclerophyll forest.	Blue-black or brown-black, with dark blue-gray or black belly. Occasionally speckled tan and black (leading to an alternate name - the spotted black snake).
Collett's black snake, P. collettii	mild	neuro 5 necro 10 algesic 10	1 kg	3 kg	Inland Queensland.	Plains, arid barrens.	Black with irregular red to orange-brown bands. Typically bright red at birth, which fades and darkens with maturity.
Papuan black snake, P. papuanus	moderate	neuro 10	500 g	1 kg	Western New Guinea.	Savanna	All black in color.