Hunting in the confined space of the burrows of the long-haired rat, the inland taipan uses its potent venom to finish off prey quickly, injecting more than 40, times the amount needed to kill a g rat. The prey has little chance of fighting back. Only a handful of people all snake handlers have been bitten by this species. Each survived with first aid and hospitalisation. Also known as: eastern taipan Found : in an arc along the east coast from northern New South Wales to Brisbane and northern Western Australia.
They are fond of sugarcane fields. Coastal taipans are equipped with the longest fangs of any Australian snake 13mm , and have the third most toxic venom of any land snakes. Before the introduction of a specialised antivenom in , taipan bites were nearly always fatal and caused many human deaths.
The venom affects the nervous system and the blood, with nausea, convulsions, internal bleeding, destruction of the muscles and kidney damage. In severe cases, death can occur in just 30 minutes. Packed full of interesting and useful facts, this handy reference will help you to appreciate and avoid these often misunderstood animals. A concise, accessible field guide to our remarkable but sometimes lethal snakes, spiders, insects and marine creatures, including up-to-date first-aid advice.
Also known as : king brown snake Found : throughout Australia, except in Victoria, Tasmania and the most southern parts of Western Australia — the widest distribution of any Australian snake. The mulga is the heaviest venomous snake in Australia and has the largest-recorded venom output of any in the world — delivering mg in one bite; the average tiger snake only produces mg when milked.
Their temperament seems to vary with locality. Southern mulgas are reported to be shy and quiet, whereas northern specimens are much more agitated if disturbed — when they throw their heads from side to side and hiss loudly. Mulgas bite savagely, even hanging on and chewing as they inject massive amounts of highly toxic venom, which destroys blood cells and affects the muscles and nerves.
Though commonly known as a king brown snake, the mulga is actually a member of the black snake genus Pseudechis, and black snake antivenom is needed to treat a bite. Also known as : common copperhead Found : in relatively cool and cold climates in south-eastern Australia, southern Victoria, Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait. The lowlands copperhead is the only venomous snake found above the snow line, active in weather usually considered too cold for snakes.
A water lover, copperheads snakes are at home around dams, soaks, canals, drainage ditches and along the verges of roads. Copperheads are shy and prefer to avoid humans, though they live in populated and agricultural areas. If cornered, they will hiss loudly, flatten their body and flick or thrash about, usually without biting. With further provocation they may lash out, though they are slow to strike and can be inaccurate.
Copperhead venom is neurotoxic damaging nerves , ruptures the blood cells and damages the cells and muscles — but rarely causes fatalities. Also known as : eastern small-eyed snake Found : widely distributed along the east coast, from Victoria to Cape York.
Little is known of its toxicity, but bites have caused illnesses in snake handlers and there has been one known fatality. The venom contains a long-acting myotoxin that continues to attack muscle tissue including the heart muscle for days after the bite. Coloured black or dark grey with a silvery belly, they blend into the night. When disturbed they may thrash about aggressively, but are not usually inclined to bite.
Also known as : southern death adder Found : in eastern Australia except the far north and south , southern South Australia and Western Australia. The males grow to about 1. Female file snakes give birth to up to 27 babies every two or three years. Did you know The Arafura file snake inhabits the lowland freshwater systems of northern Australia and New Guinea. File snakes can often be seen lurking around the roots of freshwater pandanus plants.
They sometimes venture onto land, but rarely move more than a few metres from the safety of the water. But when they eat, they eat well — a big file snake can swallow a fish twice its width in a matter of seconds. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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