was therefore excluded from mating trials. The bites
seemed to have little effect on the female, other than
to produce some minor swelling. The most mating
activity was evident in August. Courting was regularly
noted, and was quite aggressive in nature, with the
male relentlessly pursuing the female around the
cage, tail-flicking and eventually forcing himself upon
her. Pairing was eventually discontinued sometime in
October, when the female began to show signs that
she may be gravid.
On the 5 th of December 2016 the female Mulga
Snake laid a total of nine eggs. Two were slugs and
discarded immediately, while seven looked great
and candled strongly with veins. The eggs were
removed quite easily and placed in a small tub
measuring 25cm by 10cm by 10cm and containing a
standard medium of a 1:1 mix of water and
vermiculite. This was then installed in an incubator
and maintained at around 29.5 o C. The female ate
straightaway and quickly regained condition.
Unfortunately, within two weeks one of the eggs
Mulga Snake found 20 kilometres west of St
George displaying the beautiful red colouration
typical of the region.
Image by S. Eipper / Nature 4 You.
The first egg hatched after 67 days.
Neonates removed from the incubation tub a
couple of days after hatching.
Images by Vince Pintaudi.