Lexi Webster
Australia has a fearsome reputation for its venomous animals, but is it deserved? The country has more deadly snakes than any other worldwide, and is also home to dangerous spiders, jellyfish, octopuses, ants, bees, sharks, crocodiles, and stingrays. The majority of these venomous species arrived in Australia by accident when it became an isolated landmass around 100 million years ago. While the risk of personal injury is low, it's worth knowing what to look out for. So, what are Australia's big three poisonous animals?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Big Three Poisonous Animals in Australia | Sydney funnel-web spiders, stonefish, and blue-ringed octopus |
| Sydney funnel-web spiders' venom potency | Extremely potent |
| Sydney funnel-web spiders' average time to cause death | 76 minutes |
| Sydney funnel-web spiders' antivenom availability | Yes |
| Sydney funnel-web spiders' size | Palm-sized |
| Stonefish's venom potency | Lethal |
| Stonefish's appearance | Camouflaged and hard to spot |
| Stonefish's antivenom availability | Yes |
| Stonefish's size | About 1 cm |
| Blue-ringed octopus's venom potency | One of the most toxic venoms on the planet |
| Blue-ringed octopus's size | No bigger than an open hand |
| Blue-ringed octopus's antivenom availability | No |
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Sydney funnel-web spiders
Males tend to wander in search of mates during the warmer months, which makes encounters with humans more likely. Sydney funnel-web spiders have been known to kill at least 15 people, and the quickest recorded death was a toddler who perished just 13 minutes after being bitten. However, with proper first aid and antivenom treatment, the chances of survival are much higher.
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Snakes
Australia has a fearsome reputation for its dangerous animals, and snakes are chief among them. The country is home to more venomous snake species than any other country in the world, with around 170 species of land snakes, about 100 of which are venomous. Snake bites are actually quite rare in Australia, and even more rarely result in fatalities, thanks to the country's successful antivenom programme. Between one and six people die from snake bites in Australia each year.
The eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) is fast-moving, aggressive, and known for its bad temper. It is responsible for more deaths in Australia each year than any other group of snakes. Its venom is ranked as the second most toxic of any land snake in the world, and it thrives in populated areas, particularly farms in rural areas with mice. If disturbed, the eastern brown snake will raise its body off the ground, winding into an 'S' shape, mouth gaping open, and ready to strike.
The western brown snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) is said to be less aggressive than its eastern cousin, but it is still highly dangerous and part of the group of snakes that cause the most fatalities in Australia. Western brown snakes tend to be fast-moving and nervous. When disturbed, they will run for cover, striking quickly if cornered, and then making a quick getaway. Although their venom is not as toxic as that of the eastern brown snake, they deliver three times the amount. Their bites are usually painless and difficult to spot due to the small fang marks, but victims will experience headache, nausea, abdominal pain, severe coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder), and sometimes kidney damage.
King Brown snakes are also extremely venomous. According to Billy Collett, the park's operations manager at the Australian Reptile Park, "They're not looking for people to bite. We're too big for them to eat; they don't want to waste their venom on us."
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Saltwater crocodiles
The eyes and nostrils of saltwater crocodiles are on top of their heads, allowing them to remain hidden beneath the surface of the water while still being able to see, hear, smell, and breathe. They are capable of living in the open ocean for periods and can cross large expanses of water to reach new areas. They are strictly carnivorous and are known to be dangerous to humans.
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Stonefish
The two most recommended treatments for a stonefish sting are the application of heat to the affected area and antivenom. Hot water, at a temperature of at least 45 °C (113 °F), can denature the venom and cause minimal discomfort to the victim. Antivenom is used in more extreme cases, and it has been available since 1956. Stonefish antivenom is the second-most administered antivenom in Australia. Interestingly, some Indigenous Australians have corroborees that involve re-enacting the death of someone who stepped on a stonefish.
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Blue-ringed octopus
The blue-ringed octopus, comprising the genus *Hapalochlaena*, is made up of four extremely venomous species of octopus found in tide pools and coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from Japan to Australia. They are some of the world's most venomous marine animals.
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