Australia is a land of incredible natural beauty, but it is also home to a rich diversity of snake species, many of which play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling pests like rodents. This balance of nature, however, comes with a caveat: Australia boasts some of the most venomous snakes in the world.
While the vast majority of snakes are harmless and pose no threat to humans, a few species are venomous and can pose serious risks to humans and pets. Knowing how to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes is essential for anyone spending time outdoors, whether you’re hiking in rugged bushland, tending to a suburban garden, or managing a rural property.
This comprehensive guide is designed to provide clear, practical information to help you safely identify snakes in your area, understand their typical behaviour, and take crucial preventative measures to avoid dangerous encounters.
Common Venomous Snakes in Australia
Venomous snakes in Australia are responsible for the majority of snakebite incidents, making the ability to recognise their physical traits and typical habitats vital for personal safety.
It’s important to remember that most venomous snakes will only strike defensively, meaning they are protecting themselves from a perceived threat.
The Elapids: Australia’s Most Dangerous Family
The most dangerous snakes in Australia belong to the Elapidae family, which includes cobras and mambas globally.
1. The Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
- Colour: Highly variable, ranging from light beige or creamy tan to dark chocolate brown, sometimes with a grey or olive tint. Juveniles may display distinct black bands or markings, which fade with age.
- Features: This snake has a slim, graceful, and incredibly fast-moving body with a notably narrow head that is often a darker shade than the body. The scales are glossy and smooth.
- Behaviour: The Eastern Brown Snake is known for being highly alert and incredibly defensive when threatened or cornered. Its defence display often involves raising the forebody off the ground in an S-shape, creating a threatening posture. It is a highly nervous and reactive species.
- Habitat: It is one of the most widely distributed venomous snakes, thriving in grasslands, open bushland, agricultural fields, and increasingly, suburban areas, often found near farms and outer-urban areas where rodents are plentiful.
2. The Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
- Colour: Typically a yellow-brown or olive-brown base colour, prominently marked with black or darker brown bands resembling those of a tiger. Some populations, particularly in Tasmania and on islands, can be nearly uniform black.
- Features: It possesses a thick, robust body and is known for its ability to flatten its head and neck dramatically when defensive, making it appear much broader and more intimidating.
- Behaviour: The Tiger Snake is highly aggressive if cornered and will often rear up, hissing loudly. They are excellent swimmers and are usually found near water sources.
- Habitat: They have a strong affinity for wetlands, creeks, coastal regions, swamps, and damp environments.
3. The Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
- Colour: Distinctively a glossy, deep jet-black on the dorsal surface, contrasted sharply with a bright red or pink belly that may be visible along the flanks.
- Features: A medium to large size with smooth, slightly iridescent scales. It is less thick-bodied than the Tiger Snake.
- Behaviour: This species is generally more shy and reluctant to bite than the Brown or Tiger snakes. It will, however, defend itself if severely provoked or handled, flattening its neck and making a threat display.
- Habitat: Almost exclusively found along rivers, in swamps, near dams, and in damp bushland, rarely moving far from permanent water.
4. The Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
- Colour: Varies from a deep olive, dark brown, or pale yellow, with subtle, often blurry, dark banding that becomes more pronounced in the cooler months.
- Features: A relatively slim snake, but it holds the record for the most potent venom of any land snake in the world.
- Behaviour: Contrary to its venom potency, the Inland Taipan is remarkably reclusive and rarely encountered by humans. It is generally placid and will attempt to escape rather than confront.
- Habitat: Remote arid and semi-arid regions of central Australia, where it primarily feeds on native rodents.
Understanding these key species’ appearances, behaviours, and habitats is the foundation for remaining vigilant and responding appropriately when a snake is nearby. Never assume a snake is harmless.
Identifying Non-Venomous Snakes
Non-venomous snakes are generally harmless to humans and are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem by controlling rodent and insect populations. Learning to identify these species helps prevent unnecessary fear and ensures you can leave them be, allowing them to continue their important work.
The Pythons: Gentle Giants
Australian pythons are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they subdue their prey by wrapping around it and restricting breathing, rather than using venom. They are generally slow-moving, docile, and highly sought after by reptile enthusiasts.
1. Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)
- Colour: Highly varied based on subspecies and location, but typically a base of brown or olive, with dark and light patterned bands and blotches that give them a ‘carpet-like’ appearance.
- Features: A medium to large size, with a muscular body and a distinctive wedge-shaped head that is often visibly separate from the neck. They have heat-sensing pits along the jaws.
- Behaviour: Typically docile and slow-moving, often found basking or slowly moving through trees. While they are non-venomous, they can deliver a painful bite if provoked, so they should still be respected.
- Habitat: Found in a vast range of environments, including forests, rocky outcrops, urban gardens, and around buildings, often exploiting roof spaces and sheds for warmth and shelter.
2. Woma Python (Aspidites ramsayi)
- Colour: Pale yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, often with darker bands or blotches.
- Features: A broad-headed, solidly built snake known for its fossorial (burrowing) nature.
- Habitat: Primarily in arid grasslands and scrublands of inland Australia.
Small, Harmless Species
Other non-venomous species are much smaller and usually go unnoticed.
1. Bandy-Bandy Snake (Vermicella annulata)
- Colour: Easily identifiable by its distinct, high-contrast pattern of black and white bands that encircle the entire body.
- Features: A small, thin, and slender snake that is predominantly nocturnal.
- Behaviour: Non-venomous, extremely shy, and often attempts to hide under rocks, leaf litter, or debris.
- Habitat: Widespread across many Australian environments, but rarely seen due to its nocturnal habits.
Recognising these harmless snakes prevents unnecessary fear and ensures you respond appropriately during an encounter, which usually means leaving them undisturbed.
Safety Tips for Snake Encounters and First Aid
Encountering a snake, even a non-venomous one, can be frightening. Following these safety tips reduces the risk of bites and ensures a safe outcome for both you and the snake.
Practical Safety Measures
- Maintain a Distance: The most crucial rule is to keep at least 2–3 metres distance from the snake at all times. A snake can strike up to two-thirds of its body length.
- Stay Calm and Still: If you see a snake close by, stop immediately and remain as still as possible until the snake moves away. Sudden movements can startle it into a defensive reaction.
- Do Not Provoke: Do not attempt to touch, catch, or provoke a snake in any way. This is when the majority of defensive bites occur.
- Protect Children and Pets: Immediately remove children and pets from the immediate area. Pets, especially dogs, are often bitten while trying to ‘play’ with or attack a snake.
- Appropriate Attire: Always wear sturdy boots, thick socks, and long trousers when walking in bushland, long grass, or areas where snakes may reside. This provides a crucial physical barrier.
- Call a Professional: Never try to remove a snake yourself. If a snake is inside your home, garage, or another high-risk area, call a professional, licensed snake handler for safe removal and relocation.
First Aid for Snake Bites: Immediate Action is Key
Snake bites, while thankfully rare, require immediate and correct action. Australia’s official first aid protocol is the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT).
- Keep the Victim Calm: The victim must remain as still and calm as possible. Movement can speed the flow of venom through the lymphatic system. Reassure them and keep them lying down.
- Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage (PIT):
- Immobilise the limb: Do not wash, cut, suck, or otherwise interfere with the bite site.
- Wrap the limb: Apply a broad, heavy-duty elastic bandage (or any wide, firm material) directly over the bite site, and then continue to wrap the entire limb (from the fingers/toes up to the armpit/groin).
- Pressure: The bandage should be applied firmly, as tight as you would strap a sprained ankle, which restricts the flow of venom in the lymphatics. Check that you can still slip one finger underneath the bandage.
- Splint the Limb: Use a splint (stick, rolled-up newspaper, etc.) to immobilise the entire limb to prevent any joint movement.
- Call Emergency Services: Call your local emergency number immediately. Do not remove the bandage once it is applied.
- Limit Movement: Limit all movement to prevent venom spread. Transport to the nearest medical facility is essential for antivenom administration.
Quick and correct first aid using the PIT can significantly reduce the severity of envenomation and buy crucial time for the victim to reach definitive medical care.
Local Resources for Snake Identification and Removal
Relying on accurate information and professional services is vital.
- Government Wildlife Departments: State and territory wildlife departments often provide the most accurate, geographically specific identification guides and information on local venomous species.
- Online Reptile Identification Guides: Reputable university or museum-affiliated resources are excellent for double-checking species or snake identification with high-quality images.
- Licensed Snake Catchers: Keep the number of a local, licensed snake catcher readily available. You may call Medusa Snake Catchers on 0427775959 as they are trained to safely capture, handle, and relocate snakes without harm to the animal or danger to the residents.
- Community Workshops: Local councils and wildlife groups sometimes offer community workshops on snake safety and first aid—these are invaluable for hands-on learning.
Knowledge is the Key to Coexistence
Being able to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes in your area is a critical skill for safety, awareness, and respectful coexistence. By focusing on identifying physical traits, understanding defensive behaviour, and knowing their habitat, you can minimise risk.
Most importantly, adhere strictly to practical safety measures: give all snakes a wide berth, never provoke them, and know the correct procedure for the Pressure Immobilisation Technique in the event of a bite. Stay vigilant and cautious when outdoors, and always use professional services for removal. Your knowledge is the best tool for protecting yourself, your family, and your pets.