By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matthew_P_Harley]Matthew P Harley
Australia is renowned for its unique fauna. In one corner the Kangaroo, Koala and the Wombat are all iconic symbols known around the world as cute and furry examples of Australian wildlife. But in the other corner is one often misunderstood creature, the snake.
Snakes, are common place in Australia. Where I live in Brisbane on the east coast of Australia, large Carpet Pythons (morelia spilota) are commonly encountered in backyards, and roof spaces, but even the large Carpet Pythons, sometimes measuring 3 metres in length, are docile non venomous creatures that are all to often confused with the snakes that can inflict a deadly bite.
The Eastern Brown Snake ( psueudonaja textilis ) is responsible for the most human snakebite fatalities in Australia. Known for their on edge disposition, quickly raising its head and positioning its neck in an "s" like shape with mouth agape when cornered. Average size for this snake is around 1.5 metres, but juvenile specimens still contain enough venom to inflict a deadly bite. The bite itself is painless, but the venom is highly neurotoxic leading to muscle paralysis and also contains strong procoagulants causing internal bleeding. Common habitat for the Eastern Brown are areas with dry open grasslands used for cattle grazing. Very common around newly developed suburbs on the fringe of major cities. It is one of the few snakes to have actually had its range increase, due to the introduction of the House Mouse (Mus musculus) to Australia
Another large venomous snake from the east coast of Australia is the Red Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) This snake, with its jet black body and contrasting red flanks is one of Australia's best known venomous creature. It's often the subject of stories suggesting it's venom to be able to kill in a very short time, but in reality there have been no recorded deaths from this snake since modern anti-venoms were introduced in 1962. Victims of this snake report incredible pain at the bite site, as necrotoxic components of the venom begin to digest the tissue. Attaining a length of around 1.5-2 meters, they are usually encountered in areas with moist vegetation close to water sources, where they feed on frogs, skinks, small mammals and other snakes. The introduction to Australia of the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) in 1935 led to a steady decline in numbers of the Red Bellied Black Snake due to its predation on the poisonous toad, but recent research has shown that the snake has possibly evolved with a change in diet that excludes the toad.
While the above snakes are capable of inflicting a serious bite, it should also be noted that of the 3000 bites recorded each year only 250-300 actually require anti-venom. This is due to several reasons, one being that the snake bite was from a non venomous snake, and the other reason that venomous snakes don't always inject venom with every bite. These are known as "dry bites" and studies have shown that bites from venomous snakes contain no venom 25-50% of the time.
Knowing that Australia is home to an assortment of snakes, some harmless, some potentially lethal, the best advice I can give if you do come across one, is leave it be. You can't get bitten by the snake if you're not interacting with it. Of course some snake bites are unavoidable, accidents do happen and snakes are sometimes accidentally stood on, but too many snake bites are avoidable by just leaving the snake be. Given the opportunity all snakes will flee rather than face conflict with a human, and they have no interest in being around you any more than you would want to be around them. There is no need to kill any snake, every state in Australia has licensed professionals who can remove nuisance snakes from your property and remember that all native Australian wildlife is protected under by law.
Matt Harley is a herpetoculturist from Brisbane, Queensland who runs Brisbane snake Removal.
For more information on Australian snakes you can visit his website at http://www.brisbanesnakecatcher.com.au
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Common-Venomous-Snakes-of-Eastern-Australia&id=6564565] Common Venomous Snakes of Eastern Australia
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