Snake attacks can of course happen all year round depending on where you are in Australia; these are from our Summer 2011-2012. Summer is now officially over in Australia and we are now in Autumn. But during summer there was a few snake attacks, this of course happens every year, some years worse than others.
Red-bellied black snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bites from Red-bellied Black Snakes are rarely life-threatening due to the snake usually choosing to inject little venom toxin, but you are still in need of immediate medical attention. They give birth to 8 to 40 young at a time.
It was reported that a red bellied black snake was actually seen in one of the Executive buildings in George Street here in Brisbane, this is right in the middle of the city, not a suburb. It was spotted by security guards, who then rang a snake catcher, luckily this happened on a Sunday, and if it would have been a week day there would have been hundreds of people around. There could be a couple of explanations for this incident. The snake could of been under someone’s car, (this happens a lot more than you might think) or someone put it there.
Tiger snake (Notechis sp.) Taken by JAW 6th April 2005 Pemberton, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bites from a Tiger snake, symptoms include localized pain in the foot and neck region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. The untreated mortality rate from its bites is reported to be between 40-60%
A 42 year old man lifted up his door mat in Flinders a suburb of Melbourne, and as he lifted the mat, he disturbed what he thought was a tiger snake that was underneath. The snake bit through the man’s boot and he was bitten on the foot. Family had applied a tourniquet before the ambulance arrived. It was reported that he was alright and in a stable condition.
High-Yellow Sorong Amethystine Scrub Python (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We have a huge number of different pythons in Australia, the attack below is thought to have a been done by a scrub python.
Pythons are non-venomous. Prey is killed by a process known as constriction; after an animal has been grasped to restrain it, then, by applying and maintaining sufficient pressure to prevent it from inhaling, the prey eventually succumbs due to asphyxiation.
In Port Douglas far North Queensland, a boy 2 years old was playing with his ball on the porch with his Mum, the ball rolled off the porch and he went to get it. Out of nowhere a python all of a sudden bit the boy on his leg and started to wrap itself around the 2 year old. The neighbours came running when they heard the Women scream, and managed to get the Python off the child. The child had 4 bite marks and was kept in hospital for 24 hrs then was allowed to go home.
There is a very good article on this story in the Cairns.
I would like you to read about a tourist that got bitten by a snake while he had his pants down going to the toilet in the bush, his words:
“The doctors and nurses were very professional. They didn’t take the mickey out of me being bitten on my wedding tackle.”
I know this was serious, but you will get a good laugh out of this, and it is only a very small article. Read about the bite “down under” in the Courier Mail.
Dugite snake:
Its venom is potentially one of the most lethal in the world. Dugites generally avoid biting humans, but risks of encounters rise when they are most active during the mating season through October and November.
Other related posts from my blog:
Magsx2's Blog 
Although I have tremendous respect for them, I’m oh-so-not a fan of snakes. Thankfully the toddler survived!
Hi Laurie,
I am with you on that, I am also not a fan, snakes scare me, from when I was little I was always warned about snakes.
Great info and exactly why I will never live in Austrailia :D! They seem to be everywhere from what I read. I also heard once that the top ten most deadly snakes in the world are in Australia with the 11th being the cobra. Have you ever heard that?
Hi Linda,
That is correct, we do have the deadliest snakes here, of course we have a few harmless snakes as well, but all snakes are deadly as far as I’m concerned. 🙂
That’s how I feel too. I get the Heebie Jeebies just reading about them! (though part of me finds them fascinating too!)
I didn’t feel right hitting the Like button on this one…this is scary stuff. So happy the little girl had a good outcome, sad about the lack of doctors. We have to watch for poisonous snakes in the Smoky Mountains where my folks live when out hiking. Here in Michigan, there really isn’t as much of a threat. ~~Bliss
Hi Stepping My Way to Bliss,
Yes regardless of what country you are in snakes are around somewhere, and sometimes they can just look like sticks laying in the grass.
I hit the “like” button, because I like you, your writing and your videos. But this post left me with goose bumps all over and chills running all the way down. The persistence of snakes is the price you pay for living in such a paradise, I suppose.
Ronnie
Hey Mags – I’m with Ronnie. As a Kiwi (where we have one poisonous spider nobody has ever seen and no dangerous snakes) living in Oz, the spiders and snakes FREAK ME OUT!!!
Hi This Sydney Life,
I grew up here so I suppose it’s just a part of life for me, but that doesn’t mean I have to like the snakes or the spiders, for the spiders. 😀
Hi Ronnie,
Yes it is the price you pay, but still…..
I think it’s worth hitting the like button just for the story about the tourist that got bit you know where. 😀
I’ve always been told that, with the possible exception of the Fierce Snake, if they bite people they’re defending themselves, not attacking. I’ve seen one or two snakes of various kinds in the wild, and each time, it’s just slithered off into the undergrowth, seemingly more afraid of me than I was of it. (It seems, making a ‘namasté’ and saying ‘Go in peace, Brother Snake’ sometimes works)
The story about the guy being bitten on the ‘bits’ reminded me of a joke … probably inappropriate for here!
Hi travelrat,
That is true, most snakes as long as they are not cornered will slither away.
I can just imagine the joke. 😆 But you have to admit the story was funny, and the conversation with his mate, I just couldn’t stop laughing when I read it. 🙂
My third grade teacher had a black snake (I want to say Boa Constrictor?) that she kept in the classroom. During break and recess we would take turns holding it. I think spending time with a snake when you’re little probably helps to eliminate some of that fear when you get older?
I must say, though, I was very unaware of how many deadly ones you had in Australia and how frequently people get bitten. WOW! That’s super scary!
I was born in South Africa and I know they have one called the Black Mouthed Mamba – a very deadly snake, I think the fastest known snake? My mom said my dad would often sleep in the bathtub when he’d get especially afraid! haha!
Hi A Gripping Life,
I didn’t hold a snake until I was about 11 I think it was, we were always taught to not panic and just stand still until the snake decided to go. Every child in Australia is well aware of snakes they have to be as there are so many deadly snakes here you don’t want kids playing with the wrong ones or playing with them at all.
Yes I have heard about the Black Mouthed Mamba, I don’t anything about it though, but I assume if your Dad was afraid of them they were very deadly indeed. Some snakes you can die from within minutes of being bitten, but if a tourniquet is applied in the right place you can save a persons life.
Snakes won’t bite or attack unless they are threatened which is a natural reaction for any wild creature :-).
Hi Windsmoke,
Very true, they do slither away most of the time, but there are also plenty of snake bites every year unfortunately.
I believe that that is true of most snakes. However, the Tiger Snake does tend to attack for no reason. Which is why even people who like and understand snakes are very wary of this one.
Hi Lady Marilyn,
Yes the tiger snakes don’t normally just slither away, it just depends on circumstances what these snakes will do.
What a fearless little girl– I would never go near a snake. Here is an addition to your snake post. While these are not venomous, it’s pretty creepy.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/07/05/snake-force-family-from-home-into-bankruptcy/
Hi Lolabees,
Yes the snake wrapped it self around the little girls arm while she was sleeping, and a very deadly snake at that, she was very lucky.
Fantastic like, that is incredible all those snakes in that house, good news video as well, I don’t think the bankruptcy court will have much luck, there really isn’t anyway of proving the previous owners knew about the snakes.
Oh, I must have misunderstood– I thought the little girl grabbed the snake! So scary.
The snake must of decided it seems like a great place to curl around and have a sleep, of course when the little girl moved the snake struck out.
I had a laugh as the man who got bitten on his crown jewels!
Laughing aside though, here in Oz, we do have some of the most poisonous snakes in the world, but we learn to live with that fact. The only poisonous one I have ever seen is a brown snake which is highly venomous. We had a carpet snake on the property at one time, but he kept himself to himself. Most snakes will slither away when there is a human around – they are more frightened of us!
I’m glad that little girl survived being bitten twice by a Dugite snake, she was very lucky, especially living in a rural area where there is a lack of doctors. Thank goodness for the RFDS!
Hi barb19,
Oh yes it is a very funny story about the tourist, of all the places to get bitten, I bet he will never go to the toilet again in the bush. 🙂
I have seen a couple of snakes around in the parks, but they always just slither away, most people just stop if the snake is on the walking path, the snake will just continue on it’s way.
I totally agree the rural community would be lost without our flying doctor service, fantastic organization.
Very interesting article, Mags! Coming from Sweden, that has only one type of poisonous snake, and I don’t think the mortality rate is very high from it either, it’s kind of scary to think of all the deadly ones in Australia. I don’t have a snake phobia though, but that’s because I’ve never really seen one 😀
A person I used to know in Tasmania, was bitten, and got a heart attack. Not becasue he got scared, but because the venom caused the blood to clot… or perhaps it was a spider?! It’s so long ago now, so I’ve forgotten..
Hi reb,
It could of been either, both snakes and spiders can produce blood clots, we have a lot of deadly spiders as well, a lot of venom’s produce this effect, if you can get to medical treatment fast enough you have a very good chance of survival. It is rare that someone actually dies from a snake or spider bite.
Back when he told me about this heart attack, I knew nothing about these creatures that could produce blood clots. I thought he was trying to sort of «justify» his heart attack … that he sort of suffered from anxiety and sought an explanation — which I found so extremely odd, as I knew him well, and this wasn’t like him at all! A little later, I was watching some nature programme on TV, and heard about them.
Yes once the blood clots around your heart it is very serious, you can be ill for a long time. I have heard of the clotting from the snakes and spiders can also weaken the heart.
I didn’t have the courage to watch the video, even though the copy and comments have noted it ended well. I’m squeamish about alot of things, snakes and snake bites in particular, even though I’ve never come face to face with any snake other than a common and harmless garden snake. I also stay away from the snake exhibits of any zoo. Will you post something about cute lambs tomorrow so I can get these scary images out of my brain!? 🙂
Hi EOSR,
A totally different post tomorrow, it will not be about snakes. 😀
Phew. I can sleep well tonight knowing that!
I didn’t look, either!
There is a snake here where I live named a Copperhead and a man was bitten by it while I was land-surveying. He was in the hospital two weeks. On the other hand, I have Native American friends that catch rattlesnakes by hand for fun and they are more poisonous than Copperheads.
I once caught a rat snake and put it in my barn to kill the rats and I’ve never had a problem since. That has been 18 years.
I’ve seen television specials about your snakes and they are not snakes to be fooled with.
I would not want to get bitten with my pants down! 🙂 Smoogs!!!
Hi BoJo Photo,
I have heard about the Copperhead snake, they also have very bad venom as well.
It is amazing how some people can do that, it is the same with Aborigines here as well, it seems to be taught from a very early age.
Snakes are very good for rat or mice problems, I have read about farmers here keeping snakes for this reason.
Getting bitten “down under” was just so funny to read, I had to put it in the post. 😀
You did a wonderful job describing these snakes. They’re creepy buggers to be sure. Snakes are everywhere in the USA, so diligence is as necessary here as in Australia.
Thank God they was able to airlift little Anais to a hospital and save her life. Bless her heart she looks like such a sweetie-pie. 🙂
Hi E.C.,
Yes, regardless of where you live if there is snakes it is best just to leave them to do their thing.
The little girl was very lucky, the most deadliest snake in the world and she survived, I agree she looks like a lovely little girl. 🙂
Very useful information!
Hi jmgoyder,
The more one knows, the less they fear. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
And you thought I was brave for liking black bears! I don’t want to be anywhere near a snake. Yikes! I don’t care whether or not it’s a poisonous snake, I would probably die from fear if one bit me. Be careful!
Hi writingfeemail,
If you are ever bitten you do not panic, panic sets of your adrenaline and the poison reaches your heart quicker, the calmer you are the better. 🙂
The absolute worst, are those Hoop Snakes. Horrible. Just horrible.
Hi elcampeador,
Ahhh the legendary Hoop snake, did you know the legend is in America, Australia and Canada 😀 The good old Hoop snake gets around.
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It seems that almost every thing in Australia can kill you. You must be a tough bunch of people to survive. I think if I were bitten by a snake I would die of a heart attack whether it was poisonous or not.
Hi Barb,
Yes it does seem that way at times, but I’m still alive with 23 million others. 😆
Its readinf something like this that makes me glad I live in the UK!
Hi Andrew,
Where is the fun in being safe all time. 😀
they look fascinating. Thankfully the toddler survived.
Hi Indira,
Yes she was a very lucky little girl, something I am sure she will never forget.
Hi Magsx2
I’ve always wanted to visit Australia…now I’m not so sure! A very informative post about the different kinds of snakes one can come across…although none are as deadly as human snakes, I imagine. As long as we remember that we are invading their territory, not the other way round, we usually walk away unscathed from our encounters with wildlife, but as you say, every year somebody does get caught out…just as humans do, when they go to the pub to have a quiet drink and get mixed up in somebody else’s punch-up.
Hi mariathermann,
Don’t let the post put you off coming to OZ, yes we have a lot of different deadly creatures here, on land and in water, and yes accidents happen, but accidents happen with animals all over the world. You are spot on, you leave them alone and they will respect that, both human and animal live to see another day. 🙂
Your are right about humans, and you are also right about your explanation about the pub. 😀
Thanks for the reassurance. Hopefully one day I’ll make it to the land of marsupials. A former flatmate – an Australian lady – tells me koalas are not cuddly either, but bitey, scratchy little things. Must be the harsh Australian outback life that turns essentially cuddly creatures into little fiends.Never mind, I’m from the harsh climate of the Baltic Sea, I can rough it with the best of the furry critters!
I have to disagree, I think koalas are very cuddly, of course a wild koala will scratch, bite etc, but that is the way they protect themselves, but cuddling or holding a koala, is lovely and they smell of eucalyptus. 🙂
Actually, you’re right. It must have been my flatmate’s fault. She always made me want to bite, scratch and wriggle out of her presence, too! Good on you, little koalas, you’re great judges of character!
OMG THAT IS SCARY NOT JUST THE INFORMATION BUT ALSO THE VIDEO…NOPE AM NOT A SNAKE LOVER..INFACT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH A SNAKE WOULD BE OF INDIFFERENCE 😆
i got so scared reading the article that i typed it in caps..imagine the terror
have seen some snakes growing up..once on small green and harmless one was inside my fathers shoe,he realised it after he wore it imagine what if it had been poisoness….
and then one self invited it self one night i was just about to step on it in the dark but saw something moving and jumped out of the bed …come to think of it i may have created some sort of long jump record
great post and video
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Hi Soma,
I would of created a long jump record as well if I had seen that. 😯
What beautiful snakes! It’s perhaps easier to like snakes here in the northeast U.S. as they are generally not that dangerous, but it would be fun to have the kind of variety you’ve got in Australia!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi corinthcorners,
There are a lot of people in Australia that keep snakes as pets as well, snakes are for sale also in a lot of the bigger pet shops, all different types of snakes, but it certainly is not my thing, I think I would have trouble sleeping if I knew there was a snake in the house, even if it was behind glass. 😀
An interesting post mags – I did not realise that there were so many deadly snakes in Australia.
Hi Colline,
Oh yes we do have a few. 🙂
Just wanted to remind you I looove your blog And let you know I nominated you for the “inspiring blogger award” check out my blog for the details! :]
Hi sporepigfish,
Thank You very much, that is fantastic. 😀
Well, my first-ever post about Aussie snakes … and even from many miles away, it still gave me the heebee geebees.
Since I saw you at a Travel Spirits post about some of Cincinnati’s treasures, here’s one for you from my archives. http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/on-two-bookends/
Hi aFrankAngle,
I know how you feel, they give me the heebee geebees as well. 😀
A very stunning building, I had a look at the google images, just magnificent.
Music Hall, the large red bldg in my pic, is the red building seen through the window (from Memorial Hall) at Travel Spirit’s post.
Both buildings so close together, both magnificent in their own way, beautifully built.
So glad that sweet little girl is all right… It’s hard for me to imagine living in a place where “snake catcher” is an occupation, but I suppose each place in the world has its own set of dangers. The only snakes I knew of growing up in Connecticut were harmless garter snakes – we had them living in our stone walls sometimes.
Hi Barbara,
There are plenty of snake catches around, and they do get called on rather a lot especially through the summer months.
I couldn’t imagine having snakes in the walls, that is unreal.
Hi Mags.In some way I must agree with ” morristownmemos” we have invaded the entire planet I’m afraid and left little place for the rest .
Hi Lyn,
I’m sure we can and should find a happy coexistence between man and animal.
Rattlesnakes are the more common venomous snakes where I live, but when I was in Australia, I was told that the most deadly snakes and spiders inhabit the country. Scary.
Hi Fergiemoto,
Rattlesnakes are very venomous, I remember seeing a documentary on them not so long ago. That is true, we have some of the deadliest snakes in the world.
I am so glad the little toddler was OK. How scary for all concerned.. I have had a few snake sightings over the years but have enever encountered one up close. Hope it stays that way…
Hi Selma,
Oh yes very scary for those involved especially being the type of snake it was, and only a small child, maybe the snake didn’t inject all the poision, so very lucky.
Strangely enough, although I spent the first twenty years of my life in Australia and have been back here again for the last seven, most of my encounters with snakes were in France. I have a tendency to “freeze”, so somebody has to come to get me. The snake is usually long gone by the time that happens. On one occasion though, I was sun-bathing on my own lawn, when I heard the slightest of whispers right next to me. I raised my head and a venomous viper looked me in the eye, a few inches away. I shot one way and it shot the other. I don’t know who was more frightened. That was the last time I sun-bathed on the lawn.
Hi Lady Marilyn,
That is scary stuff, I have never been that close to a snake except in wildlife parks of course, but never anything like you encountered, I would of had nightmares for years after something like that.
I did for a while. I can’t remember whether it was for years, but I certainly had them for a while.
Very informative post Mags. I didn’t know Australia had so many snakes.
Hey EOS the video didn’t show the snake biting anyone – just a very worried Mum and her cute little kid
Hi dearrosie,
Yes, unfortunately we do have a lot of different variety’s of snakes.
Great post. I could not get over how that snake wrapped itself around the toddler! When I lived in WA, I recall encountering a few baby brown snakes slithering into our dorms and having to sweep them out :-).
Hi Rayya,
It would of been a very scary moment for all involved.
Sweeping baby browns out of the dorms, that is unreal, does not sound like a fun job at all. 🙂
These snakes put my little brown banded water snake to shame! They do have lovely colors when one puts aside the fear snakes seem to strike in the hearts of people. My mom was biten by a rattlesnake twice and lived (obviously, I am here). They lived way out in rural MS and I don’t remember what they did for her. Probably cut out the bite and put a tobacco plaster on the bite or sucked the poison out…
Hi purpleborough,
That is amazing that your Mum survived two bites from such a deadly snake, very lucky indeed.