Lyla Lindsey
Australia is known for its dangerous snakes, and it has a global reputation as a land full of venomous snakes that are out to kill. The country is home to nearly 200 species of snakes, 25 of which are considered potentially deadly. The Eastern Brown Snake, for instance, can kill an adult in under an hour. However, despite the high toxicity of their venom, snake bites in Australia are rare, and deaths from snake bites are even rarer. The country's large landmass, encompassing various climates and unique habitats, influences the distribution and abundance of its snake population.
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What You'll Learn
- There are nearly 200 species of snake in Australia, 25 of which are deadly
- Australia's large landmass and varied climate influence snake distribution and abundance
- Snakes are poikilothermic, meaning they can't control their body temperature
- Snakes play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling rodent populations
- Antivenom is available at 750 hospitals across Australia
There are nearly 200 species of snake in Australia, 25 of which are deadly
Australia has nearly 200 species of snakes, 25 of which are considered potentially deadly. The country's large landmass means that many climates are experienced, including equatorial, tropical, subtropical, desert, monsoonal, temperate, and alpine. These differing climates influence the distribution and abundance of snakes, providing many different habitats for them.
Snakes are not cold-blooded, but 'poikilothermic', meaning they cannot control their body temperature and depend on external sources to stay warm. They enjoy basking in the sun to reach their optimal body temperature of around 30°C and become most active when it's warm. Seasonal patterns vary, with many species emerging in spring and summer, while some pythons hunt at night and brown snakes hunt by day.
The Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) and its relatives cause most of the bites and fatalities in Australia. They are named after their predominant colour, which can range from uniform tan to grey or dark brown. They are slender, with small heads, and are highly venomous. They are very active during the day and feed on small lizards, mice, and ground-dwelling birds.
The Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus), or Eastern Taipan, is Australia's most notorious snake and the longest of the venomous snakes, growing up to 3m in length. It is usually brownish and has a pale face and large head. When threatened, it strikes without warning and injects a large amount of venom. The Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also known as the Fierce Snake or Lignum Snake, is considered the most venomous snake in the world, but it lives in remote areas, so human encounters are rare.
Other venomous snakes in Australia include the Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus), which is the second most common cause of envenomation in the country, and the Common Tree Snake, found in multiple provinces, including New South Wales. The White-lipped Snake is one of the few species that can survive in the cold highland regions of Victoria.
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Australia's large landmass and varied climate influence snake distribution and abundance
Australia has a large landmass of 7,617,930 square kilometres, and experiences a wide range of climates, including equatorial, tropical, subtropical, desert, monsoonal, temperate, and alpine. This variety of climates and habitats influences the distribution and abundance of snakes in the country.
For example, in Western Australia, 80% of the region has a desert or semi-arid climate, with low rainfall, sparse vegetation, and high temperatures. This unique environment supports a diverse variety of snake species, who thrive in the hot, dry conditions. The Northern Territory, north of Western Australia, also exhibits a wide range of climates, from desert to tropical, providing a multitude of habitats for snakes.
In contrast, the central state of New South Wales on the east coast experiences a predominantly temperate climate, which is less conducive to snakes that require extended periods of heat. Snakes are scarcer in this region, although they can still be found in rural bushland and agricultural areas. The Common Tree Snake, for instance, is found in New South Wales, and is known for its ability to stiffen its body to traverse branches.
Queensland, the second-largest state, is also characterised by a vast climatic range, with warm and humid coastal areas, and inland grasslands. The majority of snakes in Queensland are found in the north, where tropical rainforests provide dense vegetation for shelter and a diverse range of prey. Snakes in this region also inhabit natural caves and soft soil near cliffs, where they can bask on sunny rocks during the day.
The varied climates and habitats across Australia have allowed snake species to evolve and diversify, resulting in a high proportion of venomous species. The warm climate, particularly in the northern regions, provides an ideal environment for snakes to remain active year-round, promoting their growth and reproduction. Additionally, the isolation of the continent has allowed venom to become a primary strategy for prey capture and defence, further contributing to the abundance and distribution of snakes in Australia.
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Snakes are poikilothermic, meaning they can't control their body temperature
Australia is home to around 140 species of land snakes, many of which are venomous. The country is known to have the most venomous snakes in the world, such as the Coastal Taipan and the Inland Taipan. Snakes are poikilothermic, meaning they are cold-blooded and cannot control their body temperature. They rely on external sources, such as the sun, to regulate their body temperature. This is why snakes are often seen basking in the sun.
Poikilothermic animals, such as snakes, have a variable metabolism that is generally lower than that of homeothermic animals. They cannot use their metabolism to heat or cool themselves, so they must modify their physiology and behaviour to adapt to changes in the external environment. For example, snakes may seek shelter during the hottest part of the day to avoid overheating. They also tend to be more active during the day, using the sun's rays to warm their bodies as they hunt or bask.
The term "poikilotherm" comes from the Greek "poikilos", meaning "various" or "spotted", and "therme", meaning "heat". It refers to animals whose internal temperature varies significantly, and they must survive and adapt to environmental stressors, particularly temperature changes. Poikilothermic animals are the opposite of homeothermic animals, which maintain a constant internal temperature despite external fluctuations.
Snakes are ectothermic, which means they rely on external sources for body warmth and do not generate their own heat internally like endothermic animals. This is why snakes are considered cold-blooded. They need the sun or warm air temperatures to maintain their body heat, and their activity levels decrease as temperatures drop.
The poikilothermic nature of snakes and their inability to control their body temperature is an important aspect of their biology. It influences their behaviour, such as basking in the sun, and their physiology, such as their metabolism and energy requirements. This adaptation allows them to survive in a wide range of ecosystems and environmental conditions across Australia and the world.
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Snakes play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling rodent populations
Australia is known for its diverse snake population, with over 100 venomous species and 185 land snake species, alongside 34 sea snake species. Snakes are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats across the continent, from arid deserts to tropical rainforests and urban environments. They are an integral part of Australia's ecosystems, acting as apex predators and helping to maintain ecological balance.
Despite their fearsome reputation, venomous snakes in Australia pose little risk to human health, with an average of less than three people killed by snakebites per year. Snakes, such as the eastern brown snake, play a vital role in controlling rodent populations, particularly in agricultural areas. They help to reduce the need for chemical pest control methods, which can be ineffective and harmful to the environment. By regulating rodent populations, snakes prevent overgrazing and the spread of disease, and maintain a balanced food web.
The eastern brown snake, found in Queensland, is highly venomous and defensive when threatened. However, it usually tries to avoid human contact. Its venom contains potent neurotoxins and blood coagulants, which can cause rapid paralysis and internal bleeding if left untreated. Despite its danger, the eastern brown snake is instrumental in controlling rodents, small lizards, and birds, contributing to the health of the Australian environment.
In addition to the eastern brown snake, other snake species also contribute to rodent control. Coastal Taipans, for example, are abundant in sugarcane plantations and feed on rodents, providing economic benefits to cane farmers who suffer losses due to rat predation. The non-venomous carpet python, found in eastern and northern Australia, is another example of a snake that helps control rodent populations in suburban backyards.
Overall, snakes play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems in Australia by controlling rodent populations. Their presence helps reduce the need for chemical pesticides, prevents ecological imbalances, and ensures the survival of other species that depend on them as a food source.
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Antivenom is available at 750 hospitals across Australia
Australia has a global reputation for being a land full of dangerous creatures, from crocodiles to large spiders and some of the world's most venomous snakes. The country is home to nearly 200 known species of snake, with around 140 species of land snake, and 25 of these are considered potentially deadly.
The Coastal Taipan, or Eastern Taipan, is Australia's most notorious snake and the longest of the venomous snakes, growing up to 3 metres in length. The Inland Taipan is considered the most venomous snake in the world, but it lives in remote areas, so human encounters are rare. Other venomous snakes in Australia include the Tiger snake, the Common or Eastern Brown Snake, the Dugite, the Gwardar, the King Brown or Mulga Snake, and the Death Adder.
Despite the abundance of venomous snakes, encounters with them are relatively rare, and fatal bites even more so. This is partly because snakes tend to avoid frequented areas and will rapidly slither away from humans. However, in the unfortunate event of a snakebite, antivenom is available at 750 hospitals across Australia. This means that victims have quick access to treatment, which is vital in the case of a venomous bite.
In more remote regions, snakebite victims may not be able to reach a hospital quickly, but they can benefit from proven pressure-immobilisation techniques, which should be applied before the Royal Flying Doctors come to the rescue. Once at the hospital, doctors will need to identify the type of snake that caused the bite to administer the correct antivenom. This can be challenging, as Australians often misidentify snakes, and there is a lot of overlap in symptoms caused by the venom from different species. In these cases, doctors may rely on the patient's symptoms and the location where they were bitten to make an educated guess about the correct antivenom.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has nearly 200 known species of snakes, with around 140 species of land snakes.
No, only 25 of the 200 species are considered potentially deadly. However, Australia is home to the most venomous snakes in the world, including the Inland Taipan, Coastal Taipan, and Eastern Brown Snake.
Australia's large landmass encompasses various climates, providing diverse habitats for snakes. They can be found in deserts, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas. Western Australia, with its desert and semi-arid climate, has a large variety of snakes.
While Australia has a reputation for dangerous wildlife, encounters with snakes are relatively rare, and fatal bites even more so. Snakes tend to avoid frequented areas and prefer to bask in the sun in open spaces.
It is important to maintain a safe distance from snakes and avoid handling them. If you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a venomous snake, seek medical attention immediately, and antivenom treatment is crucial.
