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 Edit this 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
Plains Death Adder

A Protected Mobility Vehicle of the Australian Army, the Hawkei PMV, is named after the species.[5]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Acanthophis hawkei at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 February 2016.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Hawkei Light Protected Vehicle - Army Technology". www.army-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-09-20.