As summer approaches and the weather continues to heat up, snakes are coming out of their slumber … and grey nomads are being urged to remain vigilant to the potential danger.
New SA Ambulance Service data reveals 91 patients were treated for snake bites in 2024 – the highest number of callouts in state in the past five years (2020-2025).
Summer has consistently been the busiest season, with more than 170 snake bites responded to between December and February since 2020 – compared to around 130 bites in spring over the same period.
Department for Environment and Water Principal Ecologist Wildlife Management, Benita Dillon said snakes are protected under South Australian law and have an important place in our ecosystem, especially controlling rats and mice.
Wakey, wakey! As the weather heats up, snakes are back on the move. PIC: SA Department for Environment and Water
“You should always be careful about putting your hands or feet into spots you can’t see, like long grass,” she said.
During the warmer months, snakes become active out of brumation – a hibernation-like state – signalling that breeding season is underway.
The Department for Environment and Water says bushwalkers in national parks and reserves are advised to stick to trails, make some noise when walking and wear enclosed footwear and long pants.
Venomous species commonly found across South Australia include eastern brown snakes, red-bellied black snakes, copperhead snakes, western brown snakes and tiger snakes.
Snakes should be left alone if encountered, whether they are venomous or not. Most snake bites occur only when someone attempts to handle or kill a snake.
The Department for Environment and Water says snakes will generally try to avoid confrontation with a human by either moving away and hiding or lying still until the person has moved away.
“Like most wild animals, snakes will defend themselves if they are startled, feel threatened or are cornered,” it said.
The advice if someone is bitten by a snake is call Triple Zero (000) immediately, keep the person as calm and still as possible, and apply pressure bandaging. If the bite is to a limb, apply another pressure bandage, beginning at the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and extending upward to cover as much of the limb as possible. Leave the bandage in place until medical help arrives.
People are urged not to wash the bite, cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, or attempt to catch the snake.
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Was bitten on the hand at the Bay of Fires in North East Tasmania in March 2024. Did not see the snake or feel the bite but had two puncture marks and pinkish blood streaming from my hand. Went to the local regional hospital where anti venom was administered then flown to Launceston General Hospital (very grateful for Flying Doctor Service), to spend the night in intensive care. Lessons for me are always carry a mobile phone and snake bite bandage; and when in the bush avoid stepping anywhere you cannot see the ground (e.g. short or long grass)
When free camping off the side of the Tanami Track in 2010 I was gathering firewood amongst the spinifex grass clumps and nearly trod on a very large and very fat Western Brown Snake. Luckily it had a full belly and was asleep wrapped around the spinifex clump at the time. I backed off pretty quickly I can tell you. This was only or of three snakes we saw on our 16,000km lap the other two were Tiger snakes sunning themselves on a remote walking track in Tasmania.