Observations of an aggregation between two species of Australian elapid snakes: the threatened Little Whip Snake Parasuta flagellum and Common Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis

This short note presents field observations of a pair of adult threatened Little Whip Snakes Parasuta flagellum and a pair of juvenile Common Eastern Brown Snakes Pseudonaja textilis in an aggregation beneath artificially placed Masonite board used in the Turallo Nature Reserve long-term Little Whip Snake monitoring program. The observation represents the first documented record of an interspecific aggregation between these two species. Presumably, there may be thermal or anti-predatory advantages for the Little Whip Snake by aggregating with other snakes, particularly when both species are of a similar size. However, similar behaviours may also have fitness disadvantages including food competition, and potentially predation as the Common Eastern Brown Snake neonates grow and surpass the substantially smaller Little Whip Snake and warrants further experimental research.