The nominate subspecies S. v. virginiae occurs in the Queensland around the North Gulf, NE coasts, Mackay to Cape York.

Subspecies S. v. nitela inhabits the Kimberley's to the top of Northern Territory.

Habitat includes woodlands, open rocky forests, savannah grasslands, swamps, soaks and margins of tropical forests.

Its typical diet includes insects and small vertebrates.

They quickly learn to avoid the poisonous cane toad.