It can be difficult to distinguish the Tiger Snake from the Copperhead since sizes, habitat preferences and behaviour overlap somewhat. Tiger Snakes have 13 - 19 rows of scales around the middle of the body, the usual number being 17. On the mainland of Tasmania Tiger snakes reach a length of 1 to 1.8 m. Male tiger snakes reach a greater size than females and have larger heads. Wide ranging from dry rocky areas, woodlands, to wet marshes and grasslands.
Tiger snakes occur in most habitats in Tasmania.
They become inactive over winter, retreating into rodent burrows, hollow logs and tree stumps. Groups of as many as 26 juvenile snakes have been found overwintering in the same place. Generally, Tiger snakes do not stay in the same place for more than 15 days, males being especially prone to wandering. Tiger snakes feed mainly on mammals and birds under 300 g in weight. Tiger snakes habitually raid birds nests and have been found climbing trees to a height of 8 m. A good indicator of the presence of a Tiger snake is the alarm calls of small birds such as honeyeaters and thornbills.