Lexi Webster
Australia is known for its dangerous snakes, and for good reason. Of the 2,500 snake species in the world, 110 land snakes and 32 sea snakes call Australia home—and it's the only country with more venomous snakes than non-venomous ones. The eastern brown snake, also known as the common brown snake, is responsible for the most snakebite deaths in Australia. Other snakes found in Australia include the western brown snake, the coastal taipan, the death adder, the mulga snake, and the Australian scrub python, which is Australia's largest native snake.
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What You'll Learn
The Eastern Brown Snake is the most deadly
Australia is known for its dangerous snakes, but only a few people die from snake bites. The Eastern Brown Snake, however, is considered the most deadly. It is often referred to as the common brown snake and is a species of highly venomous snake in the family Elapidae. Native to eastern and central Australia and southern New Guinea, the Eastern Brown Snake is of slender build and can grow up to 2 metres (7 feet) in length. Its colour ranges from pale brown to black, with an underside that is pale cream-yellow, often with orange or grey splotches.
The Eastern Brown Snake is fast-moving, aggressive, and known for its bad temper. It is active during the day and is most active in spring, with males venturing out earlier in the season than females. It is sometimes active on warm winter days and occasional nocturnal activity has been reported. It generally mates from early October onwards and is oviparous, with females producing a clutch of 10 to 35 eggs.
The venom of the Eastern Brown Snake is considered the second most toxic in the world, causing progressive paralysis and stopping the blood from clotting. Its main effects are on the circulatory system, including coagulopathy, haemorrhage, cardiovascular collapse, and cardiac arrest. The most powerful ingredient in its venom is a neurotoxin that paralyses the nerves of the heart, lungs, and diaphragm, suffocating the victim. It also contains a powerful procoagulant. Its small fangs, averaging 2.8 mm in length, deliver a lethal dose of 0.053 mg/kg, enough to kill nearly 200,000 mice.
When threatened, the Eastern Brown Snake raises the front part of its body, winds into an 'S' shape, and strikes. It is generally solitary, with females and younger males avoiding adult males. It thrives in populated areas, particularly on farms in rural areas, where its main prey, the house mouse, is found.
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The Coastal Taipain has the longest fangs
Australia is home to a wide variety of snakes, including the eastern brown snake, western brown snake, and the Australian scrub python, which is the country's largest native snake. However, one species that stands out among the rest is the Coastal Taipain, known for having the longest fangs of any Australian snake.
The Coastal Taipain (Oxyuranus scutellatus) is found along the east coast of Australia, from northern New South Wales to Brisbane and northern Western Australia. They are particularly fond of sugarcane fields. This species is equipped with impressive 13mm-long fangs, which are the longest of any snake in Australia. Not only do they have long fangs, but their venom is also extremely toxic, ranked as the third most toxic of any land snake.
The Coastal Taipain has a reputation for being extremely nervous and alert. When surprised or cornered, they put up a fierce defence, freezing and then hurling their lightweight bodies forward to deliver multiple lightning-fast bites. Despite their aggressive response when threatened, Coastal Taipains are not typically confrontational and would prefer to escape any potential danger.
Before the introduction of a specialised antivenom in 1956, bites from Coastal Taipains were almost always fatal and resulted in numerous human deaths. Their venom causes progressive paralysis and affects the blood's ability to clot, often requiring multiple doses of antivenom to reverse the effects. Thanks to the development of effective antivenom treatment, fatalities from Coastal Taipain bites have significantly decreased.
In summary, the Coastal Taipain is a venomous snake found in Australia that possesses the longest fangs among the country's snake species. With their highly toxic venom and rapid striking ability, they pose a significant threat to humans, although confrontations with people are not their preferred choice. The availability of specialised antivenom has played a crucial role in reducing the number of fatalities attributed to Coastal Taipain bites.
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The Death Adder won't move, even if stood on
Australia is home to a wide variety of snakes, including the eastern brown snake, western brown snake, coastal taipan, mainland tiger snake, and the Australian scrub python. One of the most dangerous snakes in Australia is the death adder, known for its unique behaviour of remaining completely still, even when confronted or stood on.
The death adder is a highly venomous snake species found in Australia and New Guinea. It belongs to the genus *Acanthophis*, which translates to "spine-like snake", reflecting the distinctive spine-like projection at the tip of its tail. Death adders are known for their stocky build, short necks, triangular-shaped heads, and large fangs capable of injecting large amounts of venom. They possess highly advanced sensory capabilities, including heat-sensing pits located between their eyes and nostrils, which enable them to detect prey with remarkable accuracy.
True to their name, death adders have a well-deserved reputation for being extremely dangerous. Their venom is highly toxic, and they possess a highly effective delivery system through their long, hinged fangs. A death adder's bite can inject a significant amount of venom in a single strike, causing severe pain, swelling, and potentially life-threatening complications. The venom contains potent neurotoxins and myotoxins, which can lead to respiratory failure, paralysis, and even death if left untreated.
One of the most fascinating behaviours exhibited by death adders is their remarkable stillness. They are known to remain completely motionless, even when confronted or stood on. This behaviour is a survival strategy, as they rely on camouflage to avoid detection by both predators and potential prey. Death adders often bury themselves in loose soil or leaf litter, with only their eyes and the tip of their snout exposed, waiting patiently for prey to wander by. Their exceptional camouflage allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them extremely difficult to spot.
This stillness is not a result of passive behaviour, but rather a calculated and deliberate choice. Death adders are ambush predators, and their hunting strategy depends on their ability to stay motionless for extended periods. They typically wait for prey to come within striking range before launching a swift and deadly attack. This strategy has earned them a reputation for being incredibly patient and persistent hunters. Their ability to remain still, even under pressure, is a testament to their highly adapted survival instincts.
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The Mulga Snake is a black snake
The Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) is a large venomous snake native to Australia. It is a member of the black snake genus Pseudechis, and thus, a black snake. The Mulga Snake is also sometimes referred to as the King Brown Snake, but this is problematic as its venom is not neutralised by brown snake antivenom. Therefore, it is recommended that the term "mulga snake" be used instead.
The Mulga Snake is found everywhere on the Australian continent except the extreme southern and southeastern regions, as well as high mountains and wetlands. It has the widest distribution of any snake species in Australia. The name "mulga" refers to a small shrubby tree that grows in dense clusters throughout central Australia and is favoured by the snakes.
The Mulga Snake is agile, dangerous, and grows to about 8.2–9.8 feet (2.5–3 meters) in length, although some specimens have been recorded at lengths of up to 11 feet (3.3 meters). The head of the Mulga Snake is small and flat, the body thick, and the tail short and pointed. The scales are smooth with a dark tip and a light centre. The eyes are relatively small with a pale reddish-brown iris, and the belly is cream to salmon-coloured, often with scattered orange blotches.
The Mulga Snake is active from dusk to morning, feeding on mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, and other snakes. It is apparently immune to the venom of at least one of its snake preys, the Western Brown Snake, and shows no ill effects when bitten by its own species. However, the Mulga Snake is not immune to the toxic Cane Toad, which is thought to have led to the snake's decline in some northern parts of its range.
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The Mainland Tiger Snake is attracted to farms
Australia is known for its dangerous snakes, but thankfully, few people die from snake bites. The mainland tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) is one of the country's most venomous snakes and is responsible for the second-highest number of bites in Australia. They are attracted to farms and outer suburban houses, where they hunt mice at night.
Mainland tiger snakes are found in highly populated areas along the east coast, including metropolitan areas of Melbourne. They are often associated with watery environments such as creeks, dams, wetlands, and swamps. They can also be found in highly degraded areas, such as grazing lands, especially where there is water and local cover. They shelter in or under fallen timber, in deep matted vegetation, and in disused animal burrows. They are excellent climbers and have been found as high as 10 meters above the ground. They are also strong swimmers.
The mainland tiger snake is a highly variable species in terms of size and colouration. They are usually ground-dwelling and are often identified by their banding, black and yellow like a tiger, though not all individuals have this pattern. Some are entirely patternless, ranging in colour from yellowish-brown to black. They typically have a total length of about 1.2 meters, though they can grow up to 2 meters.
Mainland tiger snake bites are fatal if untreated. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in the foot and neck, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by breathing difficulties and paralysis. The venom also damages the blood and muscles, leading to renal failure. Treatment for bites from all Australian venomous snakes is the same: the pressure immobilization method is used to inhibit the flow of venom through the lymphatic system.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eastern Brown Snake, the Coastal Taipan, the Fierce Snake, the Western Brown Snake, and the Death Adder are some of the most dangerous snakes found in Australia.
The Eastern Brown Snake is found in the eastern half of Australia, while the Western Brown Snake is found along the south-eastern coast, from New South Wales to Tasmania. The Coastal Taipan can be found along the east coast, from northern New South Wales to Brisbane and northern Western Australia, and the Fierce Snake is found in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. The Death Adder is found all over Australia except Victoria and the south-east of South Australia.
The Eastern Brown Snake has highly toxic venom and thrives in populated areas, making it responsible for many deaths in Australia. The Coastal Taipan has the third most toxic venom of any land snake and is extremely defensive when cornered. The Fierce Snake is the world's most venomous snake, but it lives in a remote environment, so there are not many recorded bites. The Western Brown Snake delivers three times more venom than the Eastern Brown, and its bites are difficult to detect. The Death Adder is well-camouflaged and active at night, making it hard to spot.
It is important to treat snakes with respect and not provoke, catch, or kill them. If you see a snake, give it space and do not try to handle it. Call your local snake handler or wildlife service for assistance if the snake is in a populated area.
Australia is home to about 110 land snake species and 32 sea snake species. The Australian scrub python is Australia's largest native snake, and the Mulga snake, also known as the King Brown, is another example of a snake found in Australia that belongs to the black snake family.
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