Snake Catcher’s Life-Saving Advice: What to Do When You Encounter a Snake
Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, and if you live here, you're already well aware of how dangerous these creatures can be. But it's one thing to know a snake bite can be deadly, and it's another to know exactly what to do when you come face-to-face with one.
Australia has the highest number of snake bite fatalities per capita, with around two deaths a year from snake bites, and hundreds of non-fatal bites treated in hospitals.
We’ve taken the time to curate this guide to give you a detailed roadmap of what to do when you encounter a snake.
The Types of Snakes You’re Most Likely to Meet
If you’re living in Australia, there are a few species you’re more likely to come across. Let’s go over the big ones:
- Eastern Brown Snake: Responsible for more deaths than any other snake in Australia, this guy is fast, aggressive when cornered, and packs a venomous punch.
- Red-bellied Black Snake: Less aggressive, but still dangerous if threatened. These guys love wetlands and rivers.
- Tiger Snake: Known for its banded pattern, this snake is highly venomous and often found in coastal areas.
- Carpet Python: Non-venomous and usually harmless, but they can still give you a fright with their size.
Steps to Take Upon Sighting a Snake
Here’s what to do when you encounter a snake:
Stay Calm and Don’t Make Sudden Movements
The first thing that hits most people when they see a snake is panic. You freeze, your heart pounds, and sometimes you get that cold sweat running down your back.
But the truth remains that snakes don’t want to hurt you. Most bites happen when people try to get too close, or when they’re unlucky enough to accidentally step on one. Snakes aren’t out to get us, and they’ll only bite if they feel threatened.
So, if you spot a snake, just take a deep breath and freeze. Yes, freeze. Movement triggers a snake’s instinct to strike, but staying still lets it know that you’re not a threat. Most of the time, they’ll slither away if they’re given a clear path to do so.
Give the Snake Space to Escape
Once you’ve steadied yourself, the next thing you want to do is back away slowly. Don’t turn your back on the snake, and certainly don’t make any sudden movements that could provoke it.
Just take small steps backwards and keep your eyes on the snake without making direct eye contact. By doing this, you’ll be giving the snake a clear path to slither away. The last thing you want to do is block its exit or make it feel trapped.
Snakes, especially in Australia, are more interested in getting away from you than in starting a confrontation. By giving them the room to leave, you're reducing the chance of getting bitten.
What to Do If a Snake Bites You
If you or someone you’re with gets bitten, here’s what you need to do immediately:
Stay calm and call for help
The more you panic, the faster your heart beats, and that pumps venom through your body quicker. Call triple zero (000) right away and let them know it’s a snake bite.
Don’t wash or suck the bite
This is old-fashioned advice, but it’s completely wrong. You need to keep the venom on the skin for testing so they can identify the snake.
Identify the snake
One of the things that might help you keep your cool is knowing what kind of snake you’re dealing with. Now, this can be tricky because we’ve got about 140 land snakes here in Australia, around 100 of them are venomous, with 12 being dangerous enough to kill you.
To identify the species, simply focus on the snake’s behaviour. Venomous snakes tend to be more defensive and aggressive if provoked. For example, brown snakes are notorious for standing their ground and striking if they feel threatened, whereas pythons are non-venomous and more likely to flee.
Keep an eye on the snake’s colour, pattern, and size, but again, don’t get too close for a better look. If you can, take a quick picture from a safe distance to show a professional later.
Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage
If you’ve got a snake bite first-aid kit on hand, wrap a firm bandage around the bite, starting from just above the wound and working upwards. This slows the spread of venom.
Stay still and keep the bitten area immobilised until help arrives. The less you move, the slower the venom spreads.
If you’re far away from help, and you’re feeling the symptoms of venom spreading such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing, then you might need to use a snake bite bandage to restrict the movement of the venom. But even with you, you should not wait too long to call for help.
What You Should Never Do: Never Try to Handle It Yourself
No matter how brave you think you are, or how much you want to get rid of the snake, never try to catch it yourself. You’d be surprised how often people try to grab a snake with a stick, shovel, or even their bare hands. It never ends well.
Even experienced handlers approach snakes with extreme caution. Venomous species like the eastern brown snake and the inland taipan (which we have right here in Australia) can deliver a fatal bite in just a few minutes if you’re unlucky. If you’re not trained, it’s just not worth the risk.
How to Avoid Snake Encounters Altogether
Well, you can’t completely eliminate the possibility of bumping into a snake. This is Australia after all. But here are a few things you can do to lower your chances of encountering one.
- Keep your yard clear. Snakes love hiding in long grass, piles of leaves, or rubbish. If you keep your yard tidy and trimmed, they’ll have fewer places to hide.
- Seal up gaps around your home. Snakes are excellent escape artists. They can squeeze through tiny gaps under doors, in cracks in walls, or around plumbing. Make sure you check for any gaps that could give them easy access inside.
- Don’t leave pet food outside. Rats and mice are snake magnets. If you’ve got food lying around, it’ll attract rodents, which in turn attract snakes.
- Wear boots and long pants when bushwalking. If you’re out in snake territory, dress appropriately. A snake is less likely to bite through thick clothing, and boots will give you a bit of protection against strikes.
- Learn first aid. Every Aussie should have a basic snake bite first aid kit available and also know how to use it. You never know when it might save a life.
We hope this was helpful - stay tuned for more insightful posts.
Also Read: Navigating Snake Bites in Australia: The Importance of Having a Snake Bite Kit
