Symptoms

Symptoms vary between species and not all snakebites are painful or visible. Common symptoms can include the following; strong emotional reaction, headache, double vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain or tightness in the chest/abdomen, lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, breathing difficulties and visible changes to the bite area.

Eastern Brown

also known as Common Brown

• The Latin name for the Eastern Brown, Pseudonaja textilis, translates to “false cobra” due to the way the snake’s head flattens during a threat display
• Found in a variety of habitats throughout eastern Australia.
• Eastern Browns are currently responsible for the highest amount of snakebite-related fatalities in Australia, with as lethal bite that can kill in as little as fifteen minutes.
• Carries the second most dangerous venom of land snakes world wide.
• Can come in a variety of colour phases, including cream through to black, orange and silver.
• The Eastern Brown is oviparous, laying up to thirty eggs which hatch between January and April, the hatchlings measuring about 22cms.
• Will grow to an average length of 1.5m in Adelaide and surrounding areas, but has been found up to 2.4m.
• The snake is diurnal and it’s most common food source is rodents, often found in residences all over Adelaide and surrounding areas.

Red-Bellied Black

Pseudechis porphyriacus

• Featuring iridescent black scales on it’s back, the Red-Bellied Black’s most distinguishing feature are the redish scales on it’s belly.
• Usually located near fresh waterways, where they’ll feed on amphibians yabbies, fish, birds and small mammals.
• The red-Bellied Black snake is ovoviviparous, meaning the egg sacks hatch within the female, as it;s being laid or shortly after. Clutches range in size anywhere between five to forty young.
• Grows to an average length of 1.5m, but has been found in excess of 2m.
• The bite of this snake is not known to be fatal, but can cause loss of limb and serious secondary infections.

Pygmy Copperhead

Austrelaps labialis

• Most commonly a slate grey in appearance, with a distinctive creamish barring around the lips.
• Usually associated with fresh water sources due to an amphibian and lizard based diet. Generally well hidden.
• The Pygmy Copperhead is a rare and endangered species of snake, growing to about 75cm.

Eastern Tiger Snake

Notechis scutatus scutatus

• Comes in a large variety of colours, and may be banded or unbanded
• Was once responsible for the largest amount of fatal snakebites in Australia
• Usually found around fresh water, where it feeds on frogs, ground & nesting birds, small mammals and lizards.

Blue-Tongue Lizard

Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Eastern)

• Commonly found in the gardens of homes, feeding on snails, slugs, insects and soft fruits.
• When threatened, the Blue-Tongue lizard sticks out it’s blue tongue hisses loudly puffing itself up. Although considered harmless, if provoked, the animal can inflict a painful bite.

Myths & Facts

• Lizards don’t deter snakes – they’re more often a food source for a snake.
• Some snakes are faster than a human in short bursts.
• All snakes can swim exceptionally well.
• A snake’s venom is only a modified form of their saliva used to kill and help digest it’s food, not to kill us.
• Snakes shed their skin approximately every six to eight weeks depending on the frequency of feedings.
• Snakes are NOT cold and slimy, they’re warm and silky to the touch.
• Snakes are ectothermic.
• All snakes are cold-blooded, they rely on the elements to control their body temperature.
• If confronted in close proximity to a snake stand still and wait for the snake to move on, watching where it goes from a safe distance.
• A snake has a forked tongue, whereas lizards (including legless lizards) have a single, broad, fleshy tongue and ears.