Damon Mcknight
Australia is known for its diverse and venomous wildlife, but how deadly are these creatures to humans? Between 2008 and 2017, 266 people died in Australia from animal-related causes. While the country's venomous spiders, scorpions, snakes, jellyfish, molluscs, stonefish, stingrays, and even platypuses may be infamous, it was horses and cows that caused the most fatalities, with 77 deaths. Bees, wasps, and hornets were responsible for 27 deaths, while sharks and other marine animals caused 26 deaths, and snakes and lizards caused 23. Interestingly, despite the fear they inspire, venomous spider bites have not caused any deaths in Australia since 1979.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths from bugs or animals in Australia between 2000 and 2010 | 254 |
| Number of deaths from snake bites in Australia between 2000 and 2013 | 64 |
| Number of deaths from shark attacks in Australia since 1791 | 190 |
| Number of deaths from magpie attacks in Australia | 3 |
| Number of deaths from kangaroo attacks in Australia since 1936 | 1 |
| Number of deaths from cassowary attacks in Australia since the 1920s | 1 |
| Number of deaths from cows in Australia between 2000 and 2010 | 33 |
| Number of deaths from horses in Australia between 2010 and 2020 | 77 |
| Number of deaths from dogs in Australia between 2010 and 2020 | 27 |
| Number of deaths from bees in Australia between 2010 and 2020 | 16 |
| Number of deaths from spiders in Australia since 1979 | 0 |
| Number of deaths from cardiac arrest in Australia per year | 22,000–33,000 |
| Number of deaths from floods in Australia since 1900 | 1,911 |
| Number of deaths from cyclones in Australia since 1899 | 1,216 |
| Number of deaths from bushfires in Australia since 1900 | 974 |
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What You'll Learn
Bees, wasps, and ants are the most lethal
Although Australia has a reputation for its venomous and deadly wildlife, contact with these creatures is incredibly rare. In fact, you are far more likely to die from a cardiac arrest in Australia than from an animal. Between 22,000 and 33,000 Australians die each year of cardiac arrest, which is more than 30 times the number killed by animals annually.
Despite this, bees, wasps, and ants are still responsible for a significant number of deaths in Australia. This is often due to anaphylactic shock, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Between 2000 and 2013, more than half of the deaths from bites and stings were the result of anaphylactic shock.
The incidence of potentially life-threatening allergies in Australia is high, and allergies are a much bigger problem than many people realise. Prof Daniel Hoyer, of the University of Melbourne’s department of pharmacology and therapeutics, expressed surprise at the number of deaths caused by insect bites. He highlighted the need to understand why people are dying from bee-sting anaphylaxis at home, as more than half of the fatalities occurred in domestic settings.
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Horses cause the most animal-related deaths
While Australia has a reputation for being home to some of the world's deadliest creatures, deaths from animal-related incidents are rare. Between 2000 and 2013, of the 41,000 people hospitalised from venomous bites or stings, only 64 died.
However, statistics reveal that the most animal-related deaths in Australia are caused by horses and donkeys (equines). Between mid-2000 and late 2010, 77 equine-related deaths were reported to Australian coroners, with over half resulting from rider falls. In the last racing year, at least 168 horses were killed on Australian racetracks, equating to one horse suffering a fatal injury every two days.
In Australia, there are an estimated 20 deaths from horse-related injuries every year. Rider falls are the leading cause of horse-related deaths, followed by hind leg kicks, front leg strikes, trampling, carriage accidents, crushing, biting, and zoonosis. Rotational falls, where the horse strikes a jump and somersaults over it, are particularly dangerous due to the potential for the rider to be crushed.
The cross-country phase of eventing, an Olympic equestrian event, is considered dangerous as it involves galloping over solid obstacles on mixed terrain. In 2016, two experienced riders, 17-year-old Olivia Inglis and 19-year-old Caitlyn Fischer, died from rotational falls during this phase.
While the risk of horse-related deaths is significant, it is important to note that the likelihood of dying from a cardiac arrest in Australia is much higher, with approximately 22,000 to 33,000 such deaths occurring annually.
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Snake bites are deadly but rare
Australia has a reputation for being home to some of the world's deadliest animals. Snakes, spiders, sharks, and other venomous creatures are often the first things that come to mind when thinking about the country's wildlife. While it is true that Australia has its fair share of dangerous animals, the likelihood of dying from an encounter with one of these creatures is very low.
Take snake bites, for example. Australia is known for having some of the world's most venomous snakes, including the inland or western taipan, which has the most toxic venom. However, deaths from snake bites are exceedingly rare, with only a few fatalities each year. Between 1979 and 1998, there were 53 deaths from snake bites in Australia, and between 1942 and 1950, there were 56 recorded deaths. In recent years, the average number of fatalities per year has dropped to between one and four people. This decrease in deaths is due to increased medical knowledge, more readily available antivenom, and improved access to emergency medical care.
It is important to remember that snakes are not usually aggressive and will only strike as a last resort in self-defence. Most snake bites occur when people try to catch or kill them. If you do come across a snake, it is best to admire it from a distance and leave it alone. Give it space, and it will almost always back away and try to get away from you.
While snake bites are rare, they do still occur, and they can be life-threatening. In Australia, about one in three hospital visits for snake bites are from brown snake bites, which cause around half of all deaths from snake bites in the country. If you or someone near you is bitten by a snake, it is essential to call an ambulance immediately and seek emergency medical treatment. All snake bites must be treated as potentially life-threatening, even if the person appears to be well.
In conclusion, while snake bites can be deadly, they are rare in Australia due to increased medical knowledge and the availability of effective antivenom. It is important to remember that snakes are not aggressive by nature and will only strike if they feel threatened. By giving snakes space and leaving them alone, we can further reduce the already low likelihood of being bitten.
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Spiders are not as dangerous as believed
Spiders are often believed to be extremely dangerous, especially in Australia, which is known for its deadly wildlife. However, this belief may be exaggerated, and spiders may not be as dangerous as they are made out to be. While it is true that Australia is home to some of the world's deadliest spiders, such as the Sydney funnel-web spider, whose bite can release a neurotoxin strong enough to kill a child in just 15 minutes, it is important to consider the context and the rarity of spider-related deaths.
Firstly, out of the over 43,000 known spider species worldwide, only a small fraction, less than 1%, are considered dangerous to humans. This means that the vast majority of spiders are not a significant threat. Additionally, spiders are not actively seeking to harm humans. Their venom is designed to subdue small insects, their typical prey, and is not intended for creatures as large as humans. In most cases, spider venom has little to no effect on humans, and bites typically cause only transient pain or localized reactions.
Furthermore, the likelihood of encountering a venomous spider, let alone being bitten by one, is quite low. Spiders tend to avoid humans and will usually flee when faced with danger. Most spider bites occur accidentally, such as when a spider is trapped between the skin and an object or when someone attempts to handle a spider without taking proper precautions. With proper medical care, the chances of surviving a venomous spider bite are even higher. Antivenoms and antivenins are available for many spider species, significantly reducing the risk of death.
While it is important to respect spiders and take precautions when encountering them, the fear surrounding them may be disproportionate to the actual risk they pose. Spiders play an important role in ecosystems by helping to control insect populations. Understanding the facts about spiders can help dispel myths and reduce unnecessary fear. So, while Australia may have its fair share of dangerous creatures, spiders, for the most part, are not the deadly threat they are often made out to be.
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Sharks and crocodiles are a threat
Australia has a global reputation for being home to many venomous and deadly creatures. While the country's wildlife may not be as deadly as popular myth suggests, sharks and crocodiles do pose a significant threat to humans.
Sharks, in particular, have been a source of fear for Australians and tourists alike. Since 1791, there have been 639 shark attacks in Australia, with 190 of them proving fatal. In 2023, there were four fatal shark bites in the country. The Australian Shark Incident Database, the principal source of shark-bite data in the country, has recorded over 1,000 individual investigations of shark-bite cases since 1791. Over 90% of shark bite incidents in Australia are attributed to five species: White Sharks, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Wobbegongs, and other whaler sharks.
Crocodiles, too, have been responsible for several fatal attacks in Australia. The saltwater crocodile, in particular, is known for its deadly attacks, with at least half of its attacks proving fatal. In 2024, there were three fatal crocodile attacks in Australia, with one occurring in the Annan River in Queensland, a renowned crocodile habitat. In 2001, a German student was killed by a saltwater crocodile in Kakadu National Park. In 2005, a British engineer was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off Picnic Beach. These incidents highlight the very real danger posed by crocodiles in Australia.
While it is difficult to ascertain an exact number, it is estimated that several hundred people die from crocodile attacks each year, with many of these occurring in Australia and Southeast Asia. The Nile crocodile and the saltwater crocodile are the perpetrators of most fatal crocodilian attacks, and their preference for hunting in different regions means that humans can encounter them in a variety of aquatic environments. The mugger crocodile, while less deadly, also poses a significant threat, killing several people in India annually.
In conclusion, while Australia's deadly wildlife may be sensationalized, sharks and crocodiles do present a tangible threat. However, it is important to remember that taking proper precautions can help mitigate these risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Between 2008 and 2017, 266 people died in Australia from animals. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the highest number of deaths was caused by horses and cows, with 77 fatalities.
According to a 13-year study, 64 people were killed by venomous bug or insect bites. Bees, wasps, and hornets were responsible for 34 of these deaths.
Although Australia has a reputation for dangerous wildlife, horses and cows cause the most human fatalities. The eastern brown snake is the second most venomous land snake in the world and can easily kill an adult, but snake bites are rare and tend to be localized to the bush.
Seek immediate medical help. Anti-venom is widespread and easily accessible in urban areas.
