9/19/2023 0 Comments Taipan snakeMost snakes that kill using venom will strike their prey then move away to avoid being injured as they wait for their victim to die. In times of extended drought, numbers of both species fall. In good times, after rains, numbers of the rat boom, which creates plenty of prey for the taipan and, as a result, its numbers also rise. Its fortunes are strongly linked to those of the long-haired rat ( Rattus villosissimus), a native Australian rodent found in the same habitat. Out in this very remote, semi-arid environment the inland taipan hunts across the cracking clays and loamy soils of the outback floodplains of the Channel country. The reason why is undoubtedly because it’s rarely encountered by people: having a very remote and limited distribution, it’s restricted to the far south-west corner of Queensland and far north-east of South Australia. That “world’s most venomous snake” label still holds true today, but the inland taipan can’t be considered the most deadly snake because, fortunately, there has been no recorded human death caused by the species. That claim was first based on experiments with rodents in the 1970s when the venom from one bite was found to be capable of killing a quarter of a million mice. This reptile is regularly labelled the snake with the world’s most toxic venom. Not freaked out enough? Well Australia has other dangerous creatures to enjoy, such as cassowaries, crocodiles, great white sharks and stingrays.Small to medium-sized mammals, particularly native rats and miceĬaptive snakes can live 10 to 15 years, so the potential life span in the wild is assumed to be similarĪdults are mostly seen at no more than 1.6m in length, although it’s thought the species can attain a maximum length of more than 2.5m Try not to let it get to this stage – if you’re unfortunate enough to see one, remain calm, stay still, then move away slowly. If an eastern brown is going to strike, it will raise its body off the ground in an S shape, and open its mouth. Alas, they have a rather liberal interpretation of when they’re under imminent threat and need to bite to protect themselves. Most would still prefer to move away from danger. Are brown snakes aggressive and dangerous?Įastern brown snakes are fast-moving, and have a not-entirely-fair reputation for being aggressive and bad-tempered. It lets the snakes know you’re coming and gives them time to get safely out of the way. But bushwalkers should always look out ahead and watch where they’re putting their feet. They’re most likely to be found on rural farms. The eastern browns are also active during the day, which means they’re encountered far more than is strictly ideal. Alas, that’s where the bulk of Australia’s population lives too. They’re found along much of the east coast and inland mountain ranges. Adult eastern brown snakes are usually around two metres long. Where do eastern brown snakes live?Īs the name suggests, it is brown (although shades vary from snake to snake). Eastern brown snakes are the most dangerous snakes in Australia. Statistically, the eastern brown snake is the most dangerous snake in Australia. That’s where the good news ends, because the world’s second most venomous land snake is also found in Australia, and puts in an appearance far more regularly.Īn average of two to three people a year die from snake bites in Australia, and around 60% of the fatalities are due to bites from the eastern brown snake. These are sometimes found in coastal Queensland. There is no record of a fatal inland taipan bite – although a few people have died courtesy of bites from its slightly less venomous cousin, the coastal taipan. Even more luckily, Australia’s most venomous snakes live in the arid parts of Australia – in the outback border region between Queensland and South Australia – that hardly anyone ever goes to. It’ll strike if it feels it has to, but much prefers to move away from any potential threat. Luckily, the inland taipan is fairly placid. Get bitten by one of Australia’s most venomous snakes, and you’ve probably not got much time for the emergency services to respond to a 000 call. Inland taipans tend to be just under two metres long, with olive-coloured skin in summer and darker brown skin in winter. There’s no shortage of dangerous snakes in Australia that you don’t want to encounter.Īnd, joy of joys, Australia is home to the most venomous snake in the world – the inland taipan. The most dangerous snake in Australia is quite a title. But snakebite deaths in Australia are lower than many imagine. The inland taipan – or the eastern brown snake – is the most dangerous snake in Australia.
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