Snakebite in Australia: Why Deaths Are Now Rare and What It Means for Urban Snake Encounters
Australia is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes. In the early days of European settlement, snakes were abundant and snakebite deaths were common. Today, despite a much larger human population and continued overlap between people and snakes, fatal snakebite outcomes are rare.
This change did not happen by chance. It reflects nearly a century of medical advancement, public education, and professional wildlife management — all of which directly shape how snake encounters are handled in modern urban Australia.
The Introduction of Antivenom Changed Everything
A critical turning point occurred in 1930 with the development of the first antivenom for a medically important Australian elapid — tiger snake antivenom. For the first time, doctors had a targeted treatment for snakebite envenomation.
Further antivenoms followed as awareness and demand grew:
Taipan antivenom (1955)
Brown snake antivenom (1956)
Death adder antivenom (1958)
Additional products were later developed, including Papuan black snake antivenom, sea snake antivenom, and eventually a polyvalent antivenom capable of treating bites from multiple species.
These advances dramatically reduced the lethality of snakebite across Australia and remain the cornerstone of modern treatment.
Snakebite Deaths in Australia: What the Data Shows
Historical records clearly show the impact of these changes.
Between 1910 and 1926, when Australia’s population was approximately 5.28 million, there were 244 recorded snakebite deaths over 17 years — an average of 14.4 deaths per year.
By 1981 to 1991, with the population having grown to 17.16 million, snakebite deaths fell to 18 over 11 years, averaging just 1.6 deaths per year.
From 2000 to 2016, Australia’s population increased further to around 21.73 million. During this 16-year period, 35 snakebite deaths were recorded — an average annual death rate of 2.2.
Despite the population more than quadrupling since the early 20th century, the annual number of snakebite deaths has remained low and stable. This reflects the combined effects of antivenom availability, improved first aid knowledge, advanced medical care, and increased public awareness.
Why Snakebite Outcomes Improved
Antivenom alone does not explain this decline. Outcomes improved because several factors came together:
Better public understanding of pressure immobilisation first aid
Improved hospital care, including access to intensive care and mechanical ventilation
Greater medical expertise in snakebite management
Reduced risky behaviour around snakes through education
At the same time, some snake populations — particularly tiger snakes — declined in certain areas due to habitat changes.
Venomous Snakes Still Live in Urban Australia
Despite environmental pressures, medically important venomous snakes continue to occupy all habitats across mainland Australia, Tasmania, and many offshore islands. Sea snakes occur in coastal waters around northern Australia, and in most regions more than one dangerous species is present.
Importantly, snakes have not disappeared from cities.
Even in highly modified urban environments, snakes persist in bushland remnants, drainage corridors, gardens, and suburban green spaces. Many species are well adapted to living quietly alongside people, often remaining unseen for years.
This is why snake encounters still occur in suburbs, schools, construction sites, and residential backyards.
What Happens During a Professional Snake Removal
When Chris Williams from Urban Reptile Removal attends a snake call-out, the situation is almost always calm rather than dramatic. Most snakes encountered in urban settings are not aggressive and are simply attempting to move through an unfamiliar environment.
In many cases, the snake has lived in the area for years without incident and has only become visible due to weather changes, landscaping, or accidental disturbance.
Professional removal focuses on:
Keeping people and pets at a safe distance
Identifying the snake without unnecessary handling
Safely capturing and relocating the animal when required
This approach reflects what the long-term data already shows: snakes are manageable when handled correctly, and panic increases risk far more than the snake itself.
Human–Snake Interaction Is Inevitable
As urban areas expand, interaction between humans, domestic animals, and snakes is unavoidable. Encouragingly, public attitudes are slowly shifting toward tolerance and coexistence.
Australia now produces some of the world’s best antivenoms and has a medical community highly trained in snakebite management. Regular courses and workshops ensure expertise remains current, reinforcing a strong national emergency response system.
The Value of Snakes Beyond Fear
Although snakes are often viewed only through the lens of danger, their value extends far beyond snakebite. Snake venoms have contributed to advances in medical research, including treatments developed for human disease.
Snakes also continue to fascinate people, which is why reptile houses remain among the most visited zoo exhibits. Education plays a key role in replacing fear with understanding.
Living Safely With Snakes in Suburban Australia
Snakes are a permanent part of Australia’s environment — including our suburbs. The dramatic reduction in snakebite deaths over the last century shows that knowledge, preparation, and professional response work.
At Urban Reptile Removal, the goal is not just removal, but risk reduction through informed action. Understanding snake behaviour, respecting their role in the environment, and responding calmly when encounters occur keeps both people and snakes safe.
Australia’s snakebite history proves a simple point: coexistence is not only possible — it is already happening.
