Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a reputation for being home to some of the world's deadliest animals, including venomous snakes, spiders, and even painful plants. While the country's dangerous wildlife is diverse, ranging from kangaroos and wallabies to sharks and crocodiles, it is important to note that wildlife attacks resulting in fatalities are relatively uncommon. The likelihood of encountering these animals and experiencing an attack depends on various factors, including geographical location and season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of dog attacks in Australia per year | 100,000 |
| Most dangerous bird in the world | Cassowary |
| Animals that have attacked humans in extreme circumstances or when provoked | Buffalo, Corella, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Echidna, Grouper, Koala, Platypus, Kangaroos, Snakes, Sharks, Stingrays |
| Advice for avoiding kangaroo attacks | Keep the kangaroo at a distance to avoid kicking or scratching, keep moving out of its kicking range |
| Advice for avoiding snake encounters | Tap the ground with a stick to alert them of your presence, slowly back away if you see a snake on the path, check for snakes before stepping over fallen logs or after rain near creeks |
| Advice for avoiding shark attacks | Avoid swimming far from the shore, at the mouth of a river, in dirty water, at night, or near people fishing, leave the water if schools of fish behave erratically |
| Legal provisions for self-defence against animal attacks in Australia | Section 20 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 |
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What You'll Learn
Kangaroos
While kangaroo attacks are rare, they can occur when the animals feel provoked, threatened, or cornered. In some cases, kangaroos have entered residential areas due to food shortages and unintentionally harmed humans during their search for food. Additionally, kangaroos are known to attack dogs and have been implicated in a few fatal dog attacks.
To prevent kangaroo attacks, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance from them and avoid approaching or feeding them. If confronted by an aggressive kangaroo, it is recommended to keep something between you and the kangaroo to avoid kicks or scratches. Walking sideways away from the kangaroo can also help ensure your safety.
It is important to note that kangaroos are wild animals and should not be kept as pets. The majority of kangaroo attacks have involved domesticated kangaroos or those that have been hand-reared.
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Sharks
Australia has a high number of shark attacks, with 1068 reported incidents between 1791 and April 2021, 237 of which were fatal. The Australian Shark-Incident Database, established in 1984, provides detailed records of shark bite incidents, including the shark species involved. The database has recorded 26 shark attacks in 2016, 11 in 2020 and 2021, and 4 in 2023.
The majority of fatal attacks are attributed to four shark species: the bull shark, tiger shark, oceanic whitetip shark, and great white shark. White sharks alone account for 48% of reported attacks since 1990. They hunt by attacking from depth and hitting prey at the surface. Bull sharks, on the other hand, prefer murky water and often hunt there. Both species have seen an increase in attacks over the past two decades. Tiger sharks, however, saw a decrease in attacks during this period.
To reduce the risk of shark attacks, the Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts recommends several precautions. These include avoiding swimming far from the shore, near river mouths, or at dusk or night. It is also advised not to wear jewellery or reflective clothing while swimming, as the reflected light can resemble the sheen of fish scales, attracting sharks. Additionally, it is important to avoid swimming near large schools of fish, as they can attract sharks, and to stay away from erratic or abnormally large groups of fish.
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Spiders
The Sydney Funnel-web spider (Atrax robusta) is one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Named for their funnel-shaped webs, these spiders are large, brown to black, and bulky. They are found in southern and eastern Australia and are much-feared due to their venomous bites. The Sydney Funnel-web's fangs are powerful enough to pierce through nails and toenails, delivering venom that can attack the human nervous system and alter the functioning of organs. Symptoms of a bite include tachycardia, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, and pulmonary edema. Antivenom has been available since 1981, and no fatalities have been recorded since. However, several human deaths from these spiders were recorded in the Sydney area as early as the 1920s.
Redback spiders, cousins of the black widow, are widespread throughout Australia, including urban areas. They are easily recognizable by the red stripe on the female's back and are known to hide in dry, sheltered places. While not aggressive, they will bite if defending their eggs or accidentally trapped against human skin. Their bites can cause severe and persistent pain, nausea, malaise, and lethargy. Antivenom is available, and no deaths have been recorded since the 1950s.
Recluse spiders, also known as fiddleback spiders, have venom that can be haemotoxic, damaging the blood and skin. However, in the 20 years they have been in Australia, they have not caused any envenomation cases and are thus not considered a significant threat.
Other notable spiders in Australia include the huntsman spider, known for being large, hairy, and scary; the mouse spider, whose venom may be as toxic as the funnel-web's, although no deaths have been recorded; and the whistling spider, also called the Australian tarantula.
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Crocodiles
Since the implementation of the first crocodile protection measures in Western Australia in 1969, Australia has recorded 44 fatal saltwater crocodile attacks. While fatal incidents are rare in Australia, they do happen, and the recovery of the saltwater crocodile population has been so dramatic that Australia now faces the challenge of managing their numbers to keep people safe. Crocodiles have killed 30 people in Australia in the past 25 years, with the annual tally peaking at four in 2014.
Saltwater crocodiles are found in the northern regions of Australia, including Northern Queensland and Western Australia, as well as in parts of Southeast Asia. They typically inhabit rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries, and are most active at dusk and dawn. Attacks often occur when humans engage in activities such as swimming, wading, and fishing in crocodile-inhabited areas. For example, in October 2002, a German student was killed by a saltwater crocodile in Australia's Kakadu National Park while swimming with her sister and a group of foreign backpackers. In another incident, a man was grabbed on the shoulder while cleaning fish in his boat, illustrating the importance of keeping limbs inside boats and avoiding dangling them over the sides.
To promote safety and minimize fatal encounters, public education and adaptive management strategies are crucial. Campaigns such as "CrocWise" in the Northern Territory aim to educate residents and visitors about the risks associated with crocodile-inhabited areas. It is important to identify and avoid high-risk areas, pay attention to warning signs and local advice, and use designated swimming areas when possible. Staying in groups can also reduce the risk of a crocodile attack, as crocodiles are more likely to target isolated individuals.
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Snakes
Australia is home to 21 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world. While it is unlikely that you will encounter one, it is always good to know how to handle the situation. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them alone. If you see a snake outside, give it space and watch where it goes. If it's heading into the bush or an open paddock, you probably won't see it again. If it disappears into a confined space, you may need to call a professional snake catcher for assistance.
If you see a snake inside your home, keep people and pets away. If possible, contain the snake to one room, then call a professional snake catcher. Never try to catch or kill a snake yourself—this is when most bites happen. If you are walking in the bush, stick to the trails, make a bit of noise, and wear sturdy, enclosed footwear and long pants. Keep your yard clear of long grass and rubbish so snakes have nowhere to hide. Snakes come out during the day and at night, so use a torch if you are walking outside after dark.
If you are bitten by a snake, all bites must be treated as potentially life-threatening. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Your doctor will ask you what the snake looked like and examine the bite area. They can organise blood tests to see if you were bitten by a venomous snake. All snake bites should be looked at by a doctor, even if you seem well. Antivenom is available for all snakes native to Australia.
You can apply first aid by using a pressure immobilisation bandage. Put a roller bandage (10cm to 15cm wide) over the bite. Use a second roller bandage on the arm or leg, starting just above the fingers or toes and moving up the body. The bandage should be tight enough to restrict venom flow but not blood flow. Stop the limb from moving by using splints. Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage was put on. If possible, mark the site of the bite on the bandage with a pen or take a photo.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the most venomous animals in Australia include the inland taipan snake, box jellyfish, Sydney funnel-web spiders, and stonefish.
Some of the most dangerous animals in Australia include kangaroos, saltwater crocodiles, sharks, and cassowaries.
Some of the most common animal attacks in Australia are from domestic dogs, with an estimated 100,000 dog attacks occurring each year. Other common attacks include those from kangaroos, Australian magpies, and bees.
Some of the deadliest animals in Australia are horses, cows, and dogs. These animals have caused the most human deaths, often as a result of falls, motor vehicle accidents, or attacks.
