Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife, but it has also gained a reputation for being a nation of deadly creatures. While this reputation is not entirely unfounded, it is also not entirely accurate. Between 2001 and 2013, there were more than 42,000 hospitalisations from venomous stings or bites in Australia, with an average of 3,500 people admitted to the hospital every year for venom-related injuries. However, only around 3 people die each year from wild animal-related incidents in Australia, which is relatively low compared to other causes of death such as drowning and burns. While snakes are indeed venomous and dangerous, they are very uncommon to see, and snake bites account for only 15% of hospital admissions for venom-related injuries. Snake attacks that cause death have also become less common due to increased medical knowledge and more readily available antivenom. So, while snakes may be a concern in Australia, they are not the significant threat that they are often made out to be.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that kill snakes in general | Owls, hawks, falcons, herons, eagles, pigs, honey badgers, mongoose, snakes, humans |
| Animals that kill snakes in Australia | Humans, honey badgers, pigs, eagles |
| Most venomous snakes in Australia | Brown snakes, tiger snakes, taipans, mulga snakes (king brown), death adders, eastern brown snakes |
| Snake bite fatalities in Australia | 27 over a 12-year period |
| Most common cause of snake bite fatalities in Australia | Eastern brown snakes |
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What You'll Learn
Mongooses are immune to snake venom and hunt them
While snakes are dangerous and deadly creatures, some animals are immune to their venom and can hunt them. One such animal is the mongoose, which has a natural affinity for killing snakes. They are known for their incredible ability to withstand venomous snake bites and even hunt deadly snakes. This unique adaptation enables them to survive encounters that would be fatal to most other animals. Agile and strategic, mongooses rely on quick movements and sharp reflexes to evade strikes during these confrontations.
Over time, they have evolved into skilled snake hunters, making them one of the few animals capable of successfully taking on venomous snakes in the wild. Mongooses have a rare evolutionary trait that allows them to fearlessly fight poisonous snakes and make meals out of them. Their resistance to snake venom, coupled with their speed and agility, makes them formidable adversaries against dangerous reptiles.
The secret behind the mongoose's resistance lies in its acetylcholine receptors. These receptors are proteins found in nerve cells that are typically targeted by the neurotoxins in snake venom. However, mongooses have a mutated receptor structure that prevents the venom from binding effectively. This slight mutation makes them less sensitive to the toxins, allowing them to survive bites that would be lethal to other animals.
The study of mongoose physiology has intrigued scientists and contributed to the development of new anti-venom drugs. Researchers like Sara Fuchs have examined the molecular structures of acetylcholine receptors, finding that the receptors in mongooses and snakes are shaped differently, preventing venom from attaching to them. This knowledge has led to experiments in changing receptor structures to resemble those sensitive to snake venom, potentially paving the way for more effective and safer anti-venom treatments.
While mongooses are known for their snake-hunting prowess, it's important to note that they are not the only animals that can kill snakes. Birds, such as owls, hawks, and secretary birds, are also effective predators of snakes. Additionally, snakes themselves are often their own worst enemies, with larger snakes preying on smaller ones. In Australia, however, there is no mention of mongooses being present to control the snake population.
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Pigs kill snakes but don't hunt them
While pigs do kill snakes, they do not actively hunt them. Pigs are natural omnivores and will eat almost anything, including snakes, if given the opportunity. They are also protective of their young, and will attack and kill snakes if they perceive them as a threat. However, pigs do not actively seek out snakes, and keeping them will not help keep snakes away.
Pigs have a natural advantage over snakes due to their thicker skin, which helps protect them from snake bites and venom. This, combined with their size, gives pigs a significant advantage in any confrontation with a snake.
Pigs are not the only animals that kill snakes. In fact, snakes themselves are their own worst enemy, with cannibalism being common among certain species. Other snake predators include various birds of prey, such as owls, hawks, herons, eagles, and secretary birds, which either crush snakes with their talons or drop them from great heights.
Mongooses are also well-known for their ability to catch and kill venomous snakes, thanks to their natural immunity to snake venom and thick coats of fur. However, they are not native to Australia and cannot be imported. Other animals that kill snakes include bobcats, wolverines, badgers, armadillos, and even domestic animals like dogs, cats, and chickens.
While pigs may occasionally kill snakes, they are not a reliable method for controlling snake populations. For those seeking to protect themselves from snakes, it is recommended to focus on maintaining one's property rather than relying on animals.
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Many birds kill snakes, including owls, hawks, and herons
Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous snakes, making them a dangerous and unwanted presence in many areas. Luckily, there are several birds that are known to kill snakes, including owls, hawks, and herons.
Owls are known to prey on snakes, and their sharp talons and stealth make them effective snake hunters. In Australia, the powerful owl and the barking owl are two species commonly found. These owls are apex predators and play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance.
Hawks, with their exceptional eyesight and agility, are also adept at hunting snakes. The brown goshawk and the grey goshawk are two hawk species native to Australia that possess these skills. They are known to target snakes of various sizes, from small grass snakes to larger python species.
Herons, while typically associated with wetland habitats and feeding on fish, can also turn their attention to snakes when the opportunity arises. Their long necks and sharp bills can deliver precise strikes, making them capable snake hunters. The white-necked heron and the white-faced heron are two species found in Australia that possess these characteristics.
In addition to these birds, other avian species in Australia are known to occasionally prey on snakes. These include kookaburras, wedge-tailed eagles, and even some larger raptors. The presence of these birds helps control the snake population and reduce the risk of snake bites, particularly from highly venomous species found in Australia, such as the eastern brown snake and the inland taipan.
While these birds play a beneficial role in managing snake populations, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should be respected as such. Human interference in their natural behaviours should be minimised to maintain the ecological balance.
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Some dogs will kill snakes, but they are vulnerable to bites
Dogs will occasionally kill snakes, but they are vulnerable to bites. In Australia, there are an estimated 6,200 dog-snake bite cases reported annually. The median time from the moment a dog is bitten to their presentation at a veterinary hospital is 60 minutes. Most bites to dogs occur in rural areas, and overwhelmingly, the snake responsible is the brown snake.
In New South Wales, Australia, the most common species reported to be responsible for envenomation is the red-bellied black snake, followed by the brown snake and then the tiger snake. The presence of fang marks does not indicate that envenomation has occurred, only that a bite has taken place. The onset of clinical signs after envenomation may be delayed for several hours.
If your dog kills or injures a snake, it is important to thoroughly check them for any signs of a snake bite. Dogs, like most other animals, do not show signs of illness or weakness until they are no longer able to hide it. Signs of a snake bite in dogs include difficulty breathing, uncontrolled drooling, dilated pupils, vomiting, muscle tremors, walking unsteadily due to paralysis, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, blood in the urine, and swelling.
There are snake avoidance training courses for dogs, usually run by qualified dog trainers. However, some of the methods taught may go against what you would and wouldn't normally do with your dog. If you see a snake in your yard or house, it is recommended to find a good snake catcher in your area. It is illegal to kill snakes in Australia, and doing so can bring huge penalties.
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Honey badgers are immune to cobra venom and kill snakes
While humans are the biggest killers of snakes, several other animal species also kill them. These include various birds, such as owls, hawks, falcons, and herons, as well as other snakes. Mammals also kill snakes, with cats and dogs tackling nonvenomous snakes. In Africa, Asia, and Europe, mongooses are a common snake killer. They are easily domesticated, friendly, and have a natural affinity for killing snakes. They are immune to snake venom due to specialized acetylcholine receptors in their bodies.
Honey badgers, found in Africa, the Middle East, and India, are also immune to cobra venom and are known to kill snakes. They are very ferocious and fearless animals that rely on brute force and tenacity to kill snakes. They have been observed escaping from pythons and then killing them, even fighting off jackals that tried to steal their meal. Their tapered upper bodies and strong skin make it difficult for snakes to kill them via constriction or venomous bites.
On a molecular level, honey badgers have several mutations in the gene that contains the blueprint for making the receptor targeted by cobra neurotoxins. These neurotoxins usually paralyze breathing by parking in a muscle cell's nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, but the mutations in honey badgers prevent the neurotoxins from fitting into the receptor, thereby maintaining the animal's ability to breathe.
The discovery of these molecular tweaks in the honey badger's resistant receptor could lead to the development of better antivenoms for humans. Currently, many antivenom infusions are made of antibodies produced by the immune systems of horses and sheep exposed to venom. However, these treatments carry the risk of causing allergic reactions. By understanding the molecular targets of venom, such as the honey badger's neurotoxin receptor, scientists can work towards designing safer treatments.
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Frequently asked questions
While snakes are very uncommon to see in Australia, there are a few animals that will kill them. Birds of prey such as owls, hawks, falcons, herons, and secretary birds are all capable of killing snakes. Some mammals also kill snakes, including pigs, mongoose, honey badgers, and other snakes.
Snake attacks in Australia which cause death are less common nowadays due to increased medical knowledge and more readily available antivenom. Between 1979 and 1998, there were 53 deaths from snakebites in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In more recent times, brown snake bites have become more common and now cause the majority of such deaths in the country.
The eastern brown snake is the most common cause of severe snake envenoming in Australia and is statistically the most likely Australian snake to kill you. Other venomous snakes in Australia include the tiger snake, taipan, mulga snake, death adder, and red-bellied black snake.
Snakes fear humans and their first instinct is to slither away as fast as they can. If you see a snake, you should keep your distance, do not approach it, and certainly do not try to handle it. If you are concerned about snakes, it is best to heed warning signs and seek information from locals.
