Snakes and People in Australia

Risks, Realities, Relocation, and How We Safely Co-Exist

Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes on Earth. Despite this, Australia has one of the lowest snakebite death rates in the world. This apparent contradiction has less to do with luck and more to do with education, awareness, medical care, and a realistic understanding of snake behaviour.

This article explores how snakes and people interact in Australia, the real risks involved, when snakes should be removed, what happens to relocated snakes, and how people can reduce the chance of snakebite. The information presented here is drawn from Peter Merchant’s Australia’s Dangerous Snakes, one of the most comprehensive and evidence-based works on Australian snakebite, behaviour, and management.

Snakes Are Dangerous — But the Risk Is Often Overestimated

There is no denying that many Australian snakes have venom capable of killing a human. However, lethal potential does not equal high risk.

In reality:

• Deaths from snakebite in Australia average two to three per year

• Serious bites are uncommon

• Most bites are preventable

• The majority occur when people interfere with snakes

Snakebite envenoming is considered a minor medical risk at a population level, particularly when compared with everyday dangers such as vehicle accidents or farm injuries.

Modern antivenom, fast emergency response, and public education have dramatically reduced fatalities. The greatest risk does not come from snakes themselves, but from human behaviour around snakes.

Where People Encounter Snakes

Venomous snakes occur in every Australian capital city and in almost all regional and rural areas. They commonly live in:

• Bushland and reserves

• Creek lines and wetlands

• Parks, golf courses and sports fields

• Gardens and semi-rural properties

Snakes are attracted to food, shelter, and water, not people. Suburban areas often provide all three in abundance, especially where rodents are present.

Importantly, snakes do not seek out humans. Most encounters occur because:

• A snake is accidentally surprised

• A person steps too close

• A snake is cornered with no escape route

Human Attitudes Toward Snakes

Historically, snakes in Australia were viewed with fear, hatred, or revulsion. While some fear is understandable, much of it is based on myths and misinformation.

Today, attitudes are changing. Many Australians now understand that:

• Snakes play an important ecological role

• Most snakes avoid humans

• Killing snakes does not reduce long-term snake presence

There is also growing public interest in snakes from an ecological, educational, and conservation perspective.

Do Snakes Need to Be Removed?

The short answer: sometimes — but not always.

Snakes should be removed when they:

• Enter houses, sheds, workplaces, or aviaries

• Pose a clear risk to people or pets

• Are trapped or injured

• Are in high-traffic areas where avoidance is impossible

However, removing every snake encountered is neither practical nor effective.

Research shows that:

Removing one snake often creates a “vacancy”

• Another snake may move into the same area

• Snake removal is usually a temporary solution

In many cases, the safest and most effective approach is risk management, not removal.

What Happens to Snakes That Are Removed?

When a licensed snake catcher removes a snake, several outcomes are possible:

• Short-distance release nearby (within the snake’s home range)

• Relocation to low-human-use habitat

• Transfer for venom extraction or research (where permitted)

• Euthanasia (rare and regulated)

Most snakes that are relocated do not survive long-distance relocation. This is because snakes:

• Have established home ranges

• Know local shelter and food sites

• Can struggle to adapt to unfamiliar environments

Studies have shown that releasing snakes far from where they were captured often leads to:

• Starvation

• Predation

• Stress-related mortality

For this reason, short-distance release, where legally allowed, is often the most humane option.

The Environmental Impact of Snake Removal

Removing snakes can disrupt local ecosystems. Snakes help control populations of:

• Rats and mice

• Frogs

• Small reptiles

When snakes are removed:

• Rodent numbers may increase

• Human–wildlife conflict can actually worsen

• Other snakes may move into the area

This is why snake removal should be targeted and strategic, not automatic.

Living Near Snakes: A Practical Reality

In some parts of Australia, people knowingly live alongside resident snakes without incident.

Examples documented by Merchant include:

• A tiger snake living near a national park headquarters for over a decade

• Snakes tolerated near shops and museums with signage and public awareness

• Properties where snakes are left undisturbed unless they enter buildings

These cases demonstrate that co-existence is possible when:

• People are informed

• Snakes have space

• Human behaviour is sensible

How to Reduce the Risk of Snakebite

Most snakebites occur because of avoidable behaviour. Simple precautions can greatly reduce risk.

For People

• Wear enclosed footwear in bushy or grassy areas

• Watch where you step, especially in warm weather

• Use a torch when walking outside at night

• Never put hands or feet into unseen spaces

• Do not attempt to catch or kill snakes

Snakes are not aggressive by nature. If given space, they almost always retreat.

For Pets

Domestic animals are bitten more often than people.

Risk reduction includes:

• Keeping dogs and cats enclosed during warmer months

• Using snake-proof fencing or fine mesh in runs

• Snake avoidance training for dogs

• Removing rodent attractants

Antivenom significantly improves survival rates for pets, but prevention is far better than treatment.

Are Snakebites Inevitable?

No. Most snakebites are accidental and preventable.

Snakes do not hunt humans, and they do not benefit from biting us. Bites typically occur when:

• A snake is stepped on

• A snake is handled

• A snake is harassed or attacked

Education and awareness reduce these situations dramatically.

Sea Snakes: Risks and Realities

Sea snakes are found along Australia’s northern coastline, from Western Australia to Queensland. They are highly venomous, but bites are extremely rare.

Most people encounter sea snakes while:

• Snorkelling

• Diving

• Walking along beaches after storms

Sea snakes are generally:

• Non-aggressive

• Curious rather than defensive

• More likely to flee than bite

Bites usually occur only when sea snakes are:

• Handled

• Trapped in fishing gear

• Injured or stressed

When to Call a Professional Snake Catcher

You should contact a licensed snake catcher if:

• A snake enters your home or workplace

• Children or pets are at risk

• The snake cannot safely escape

• The snake is injured or trapped

Professional snake catchers are trained to:

• Identify species

• Handle snakes safely

• Reduce risk to people and animals

• Comply with wildlife regulations

The Bigger Picture: Education Over Fear

One of the strongest messages in Australia’s Dangerous Snakes is that fear-based responses create more risk, not less.

Effective snake management relies on:

• Public education

• Sensible land use

• Targeted removal when necessary

• Respect for wildlife

Killing snakes indiscriminately does not make people safer. Understanding snakes does.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s snakes are powerful animals, but they are not villains. They are a natural part of our environment and have co-existed with humans for thousands of years.

By:

• Understanding real risks

• Making informed decisions about removal

• Managing properties sensibly

• Calling professionals when needed

We can reduce snakebite risk while allowing snakes to continue their essential role in the ecosystem.

Source

This article is based on material and interpretations from:

Merchant, P. (2017). Australia’s Dangerous Snakes.