Snakes - What You Need To Know

Venomous Snakes Of Australia

Death Adder: These snakes inhabit Australia ,surrounding islands and New Guinea. Death Adder bites are very serious. Colors are grey to red with occasional yellows, greens or browns. May have stripes. Usually seen in fields or forested areas. Generally nocturnal, but may be encountered at any time. The Neurotoxic venom acts slowly to paralyze in 6 to 48 hrs. causing death if not treated with antivenom.

Taipan: A aggressive and very deadly snake. The Taipan strikes with great speed and may bite multiple times in very quick succession. Considered to be one of the most deadly snakes in the world. They are olive to brown colored and grow up to 12 ft. long. Found in many habitats, often found in plantation fields, in northern Australia and New Guinea.

Tiger snake: The Tiger snake is very common in the temperate and populated southern areas of Australia. The stripes of the Tiger snake are variable through out the year and are not always present. Untreated bites are fatal close to 45% of the time so medical treatment is very important. The most common venomous snake bites in Australia. Bites often occur at night when the snake is not noticeable in the darkness. Always carry a light. Yellow to black coloring. Often attracted to houses and farms in search of mice.

Australian Copper Head: Found in south to central Australia. The coloration is from reddish brown to dark brown. This looks much different from the North American copper head. It's raises it's head just above the ground and strikes when agitated. It is a sluggish snake and often bites when it is stepped on by unwary individuals. Found in wetlands, grassy fields and forested areas.

Australian Brown Snake: In various forms inhabits all of Australia. The eastern Brown Snake causes the majority of deaths from snake bites in the country. These snakes are temperamental, if agitated or surprised they will attack, though bites are not always envenomed. Colors range from brown to grey. Often found around farms and fields.

Australian Fierce Snake: Related to the Taipan, also called a inland Taipan. A very dangerous snake. Inhabits inland remote areas of central Australia. Brown to olive green, with scales of yellow, variable through the year. Dwells in holes and under items. Is considered to be docile, but if agitated will strike. It secretes enough Neurotoxic venom o kill 100 normal adult human beings. If a intravenous bite occurs death may be nearly instant. If a member of your party collapses for no reason, suspect this and be alert for the snakes presence while attempting to ascertain the victims true difficulty.

Australian Mulga or "King Brown" Snake: This snake is sometimes confused with a Australian Brown Snake, It is not actually a Brown Snake but a member of the Black snack family. This confusion can lead to the wrong antivenom being given. If you are not sure what snake has bitten, be sure the medical personnel understand this. The confusion between the two has caused the deaths from the bite of this snake to be more than for any other snake. This snake lives in most of Australia except for Rainforest regions. It will take shelter under most anything. Colors vary from light brown to black, scale coloring may cause a slight pattern. Found in woodland, grassland, scrubland and desert.

Australian Rough Scaled Snake: This snake lives on the eastern coast. It is a irritable snake and very toxic. Usually near water and active during the day. The Rough Scaled Snake is sometimes mistaken for a Tiger snake or the harmless Keel back snake, depending on it's pattern and color, often greenish brown, light or dark, sometimes with stripes.

Hints To Avoid A Bite

Don't try to pick up or trap a snake! It sounds strange, but many people are bitten trying to grab or trap a snake they have encountered.
Walk around a snake giving it plenty of room.
Don't try to kill the snake just because you have found it in the wilderness. This often ends in ways that are less than desirable and snakes are very important to the environment.
Don't put your hands or feet in places where you cannot see such as tall grass, holes or crevices in logs, rocks or in the ground. Don't pick anything up without first flipping it over with a small tree branch, hiking pole or other item.
Do not go bare foot or wear sandals when exploring the outdoors. Always wear leather hiking boots or other suitable footwear and clothing.
Watch where you step, especially around trees, brush or tall grass. Be alert to your surroundings. Remember, Snakes often lay motionless and may be unnoticeable.
If sleeping outdoors without a tent, don't lay next to rocks, tall grass, brush or logs. Use mosquito netting to create a barrier around yourself. Tuck mosquito netting well under your sleeping bag and anchor it well away from your body with logs, rocks or other items. Sleeping on a cot is preferable.