Here's a sneak peek at one of the 8 new snakes in "Snakes of the World Volume 2", the Red-bellied Black Snake of Australia. It is endemic to the east coast of Australia. It can be found in the urban forest, woodland, plains, and bushland areas of the Blue Mountains, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, and Adelaide. The diet primarily consists of frogs, but they also prey on reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes, commonly eastern brown snakes and even their own species. Fish are hunted in water. Red-bellied black snakes may hunt on or under the water surface, and prey can be eaten underwater or brought to the surface. The venom contains neurotoxins, myotoxins, and coagulants and has haemolytic properties. It is not aggressive and generally retreats from human encounters, but will defend itself if provoked. Although its venom can cause significant illness, no deaths have been recorded from its bite. Bites from red-bellied black snakes can be very painful—often needing painkillers—and result in local swelling, prolonged bleeding, and even local necrosis, particularly if the bite is on a finger. Severe local reactions may require surgical debridement or even amputation.