Snake

Photographer unknown, "Australian Brown Snake," found online: accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://www.1stfun.com/animals/ten-deadliest-snakes-around-the-world/attachment/australian-brown-snake/.

            Before coming to Australia many of my family members and friends were adamant about warning me about the numerous large and venomous snakes that are native to the country. Luckily, I haven’t had any scary encounters, but my curiosity has led me to find that there are 140 species of land and 32 species of water snakes in Australia, and the poisonous ones outnumber the non-venomous snakes.[1]

Does this danger factor hurt Australian tourism? Does it attract the thrill seekers? And what is the actual risk when in Australia or when encountering a snake? Do Australians view their deadly neighbors differently than tourists?

Tourist Safety

            When researching snakes in tourism, most searches resulted in horror stories of tourists getting bitten by venomous snakes. For example, in 2008, a deadly brown snake in Cairns bit one tourist. Another was bitten in 2012 by a tiger snake in the outback. Both survived. Most snake bites like these occur because of carelessness or drunkenness. The advice given to tourists is simple: don’t walk through tall grass barefoot and don’t reach into places you cannot see. And in most cases (if you are bitten), the snake does not release any venom unless it was really concerned for its own survival.[2]

      Because research was limited on this topic of snakes and tourism, I’d like to survey my readers and ask what is your view on Australian snakes? Are they:

• scary, dangerous, poisonous, harmful?
• important to the ecosystem but not a threat to humans?
• economically important to Australian tourism?

Feedback can be left in the comments section below; please indicate if you live in Australia or would be considered a tourist in Australia.

"Beth and Snake," personal photo, Bond University, 7 Sept. 2012.

Dangerousness in Australia

            After researching snakes in Australia, it seems that their actual dangerousness is exaggerated. Although it is difficult to measure “poisonous-ness,” most sources agree that eight of the ten most poisonous snakes live in Australia. However, poisonous does not mean deadly as there are remedies to bites if acted on quickly.

The Indian Taipan is considered the most venomous snake in the world and is found in the red regions below:

http://www.avru.org/general/distrib_fierce.html

            Most Taipan bites have occurred with animal handlers, and only few have been deadly. So although it is titled as the most poisonous snake, the most deadly snake resides in Africa.[3]

The Rainbow Serpent

            The native Australians, Aboriginals, place great emphasis on the snake. The “Rainbow Serpent” differs by name and tribe, but the underlying myth describes an enormous snake that lives deep in Australian waterholes and slithers over land to create water channels. This serpent can give people healing powers and rainmaking abilities, or it can curse law-breakers with sores, weakness, illness, or even death.[4]

            Despite the many Aboriginals assimilating into the white culture, the Rainbow Serpent still plays an important role in their beliefs as the snake is said to control the vital resources of oil and water. [5]

http://www.dmfiat.com/featured-post/travel-gaming-australia-edition

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[1] “Snakes,” NSW Government: Environment & Heritage, last modified 15 Apr. 2011, http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/snakes.htm, n.p.

[2] Rhonda Green, “Dangerous snake bites tourist in Australia – but could have been easily avoided,” Wildlife Tourism Australia, last modified 17 Feb. 2012, accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://wildlifetourism.org.au/snake-danger-in-australia-usually-not-if-youre-careful/, n.p.

[3] “Types of Snakes in Australia,” Gondwananet, accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://www.gondwananet.com/australian-animals-reptiles-snakes.html, n.p.

[4] Charles P. Mountford, “The Rainbow-Serpent Myths of Australia,” in The Rainbow Serpent, edited by Ira R. Buchler, 33-38. Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing Company, 1978.

[5] ibid.