This post focuses on animals that either travel together by choice, or are obvious at the same time of year.
Both our Eastern/ Golden Water Skinks and Red-bellied Black Snakes breed in the northern “Spring” – or as soon as the weather warms up. In 2019, warm weather was early, so both species have now given birth to their young. When I say “given birth”, both the EW/G skink and the RBBS are live-bearers. They do not lay eggs as most other reptiles do. Their young are born in membranous sacs, like that inside the hard outer shell of a boiled hen’s egg, and not as tough as the usual leathery reptile egg covering. Red-bellied black snakes have a pregnancy of four to five months after mating and give birth to between 5 and 18 young measuring around 28cm in total length. This is the same length as an adult Eastern Water skink. These skinks also mate in Spring and give birth to about nine young in Summer. Their young are much smaller than 28cm, and a favourite food of the Red-bellied Black Snake.
So, if you see pregnant Eastern/ Golden Water Skinks (obviously broad across the beam) basking in the sun, or baby skinks, be mentally prepared to see some young Red-bellied Black Snakes. Fortunately, they are a shy snake and will generally only deliver a serious bite under severe molestation, still often delivering a “dry bite”. Your best option is to leave them alone.
The Australian Museum regards the Red-Bellied Black Snake as probably the least dangerous elapid snake in Australia for its size. Despite the number of bites received every year, very few human deaths have resulted. Most death records date from early times when the snake’s identity was often unconfirmed. Many bite victims experience only mild or negligible symptoms, however a number also end up hospitalized. The health risks to children and pets are greater, due to their smaller size. As individual reactions to envenomation can vary, all suspected bites should be treated as serious and medical attention sought as soon as possible.
Another set of fellow travellers, by choice this time, are the White-rumped Swiftlets and White-throated Needletails, small flocks of which have been seen hawking for insects together above the forest canopy. Apparently, they sense changes in barometric pressure and fly in front of approaching storm fronts. The Swiftlet is resident in Australia, while the Needletail breeds in northern Asia and flies south each year, reaching northern Australia early October. The Needletail stay for the Wet, then flies “home” in March.
Another pair of fellow-travelling species are the Figbirds and Olive-backed Oriole (which looks similar to an immature Figbird). Our rusty fig is in full fruit, so we have Figbirds visiting. Only a very small flock so far this year, but they are accompanied by at least one Oriole – more often heard than seen.
One of the funniest, and short-lived pairings, was that of an immature Pied Currawong and a family flock of Crimson Rosellas. The Currawong only arrived in numbers locally in the mid-1980s and a few have remained as permanent residents. However, I have never seen a breeding pair with a chick until this year. They are obviously breeding here as well now. Initially grey and white in colour, the young Currawong is now looking more “adult”. Its parents obviously thought their job was done, because after a couple of weeks of feeding their whinging offspring, they abandoned it to its own devices. In desperation, the young Currawong attached itself to a group of Crimson Rosellas, unusual considering that Currawongs will take nestlings of all sorts of species as food. Bill watched a Crimson Rosella stare down the young Pied Currawong, then bounce over and give it a severe peck! We haven’t seen the Currawong hanging around with the Rosellas since.
Linda Venn
