Eastern Brown Snakes: FAQ After An Encounter
Baby Brown Snakes in Sydney are born with strong bands which will fade over time.
Encountering a brown snake in your home or yard can be a stressful experience. Common Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), are known to be dangerously venomous, and their bites can have severe consequences if left untreated. However, it's essential to understand that such encounters are usually transient events, as brown snakes are primarily on the hunt for their favourite prey: mice. In almost all cases the snake was simply passing through and hadn’t set up a home or made a “nest” at your place.
In this article, we'll provide you with valuable insights and tips on how to deal with brown snake incidents and reduce the risk of future encounters.
Understanding the Common Brown Snake - Here's a quick overview:
Dangerously Venomous: Common Brown Snakes are among the world's most venomous snakes, capable of delivering a potentially lethal bite to humans if untreated.
Description: Juvenile brown snakes are typically light brown with strong banding over their bodies or a black head. As they mature, the banding fades, and adults have relatively small heads with no clear distinction between the head and neck.
Size: Adult brown snakes are typically around 1.5 meters in length, but larger specimens exceeding 2 meters exist.
Diet: Their primary diet consists of mice, rats, and small mammals, which often attract them to suburban areas with rodent infestations.
Reproduction: Brown snakes engage in combat for access to females during mating. Females lay 10 to 35 eggs, usually in burrows or tree stumps.
Behaviour and Habitat: Brown snakes have adapted well to urban environments, making them relatively common visitors to homes in regions like Sydney. When cornered or provoked, they may adopt defensive behaviors, including an S-shaped stance and an open mouth.
A juvenile Eastern Brown removed from a backyard in Blacktown.
Dealing with Brown Snake Encounters
If you encounter a brown snake in your home or yard, follow these steps:
Keep Your Distance: Avoid approaching the snake and ensure the safety of children and pets.
Call a Professional: Contact a business experienced in snake removal.
Close Doors and Windows: Prevent the snake from entering your home by keeping doors and windows closed.
Do Not DIY: Avoid attempting to remove the snake yourself, as it can be dangerous.
Learn About Local Species: Familiarise yourself with the common snakes in your area, especially venomous ones, to better understand potential risks.
Prevent Future Encounters: After removal, take steps to minimise future snake encounters, such as sealing openings, maintaining a tidy yard, and reducing rodent attractants.
Brown snakes are often drawn to suburban areas due to the presence of mice and other rodents. To reduce the risk of future encounters, consider these preventive measures:
Keep your yard clean and free of debris that could serve as snake hiding spots.
Be aware of factors that attract rodents, such as bird aviaries, chicken coops, or small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs.
Understand that snakes perceive their surroundings differently based on their height, so stay vigilant, especially when in snake-prone areas.
A large Eastern Brown Snake removed from a bird aviary in Windsor, NSW
Brown Snake Bite First Aid: What to Do in an Emergency
If you find yourself or someone else bitten by one, follow these steps:
Stay Calm: Remaining calm is crucial in a snakebite emergency. Panic can worsen the situation by increasing heart rate and venom circulation. Easier said than done, we know!
Call for Help: Dial emergency services immediately. Swift professional medical assistance is paramount for snakebite treatment.
Immobilise the Affected Area:
Keep the bitten limb still to slow venom spread through the lymphatic system.
Avoid unnecessary movement or exertion to prevent increased blood flow and venom circulation.
Treat the limb as if it were a fracture.
Remove Constricting Items:
If the bite is on a limb, carefully remove tight clothing, jewellery, or accessories near the bite site. Swelling is inevitable, and constricting items can worsen the situation.
Keep the Bite Below Heart Level:
Whenever possible, position the bitten limb at or below heart level. This can help reduce swelling and slow venom spread.
Do Not Apply a Tourniquet:
Avoid using a tourniquet or attempting to restrict blood flow above the bite. This can concentrate venom and worsen the injury.
Do Not Cut or Suck the Bite:
Avoid making cuts or trying to suck out venom. These methods are ineffective and can lead to complications.
Do Not Apply Ice or Heat:
Refrain from using ice or heat on the bite; these can exacerbate the injury.
Keep the Person Calm and Reassured:
Emotional stress can intensify envenomation effects. Maintain a calm and reassuring presence while awaiting professional help.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine:
Refrain from alcohol and caffeine consumption, as they can increase blood flow and the potential absorption of venom.
In a snakebite emergency, the most crucial step is seeking immediate medical assistance. Brown snake bites usually require antivenom, administered exclusively by medical professionals.
While waiting for professional help, focus on keeping the affected person calm and still to minimise venom spread and complications. Remember that the severity of snakebite envenomations can vary, so following these steps can be crucial in potentially saving a life.
This large Eastern Brown Snake was in a front yard in a home in Marsden Park
Conclusion
Encountering a brown snake in your home or yard can be unsettling, but by following safety guidelines, seeking professional assistance when needed, and taking preventive measures, you can coexist safely with these reptiles. Remember that repeat visits by brown snakes are relatively rare, and with proactive actions, you can minimise the chances of future encounters. Stay informed and prepared to ensure the safety of your family and pets in snake-prone regions.
DON’T DO THIS! We are unsure why the person holding this baby Eastern Brown Snake though such reckless behaviour was a good idea, however it does provide an indication on how small hatching Brown Snakes are.
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