Grey nomads and other travellers are being urged to be on the alert for snakes as the reptiles start moving around much more in the coming weeks.
The warning comes after a mineworker was apparently bitten by a deadly taipan snake near Chillagoe in far north Queensland. The 31-year-old was taken to the local medical centre but his condition deteriorated and he was flown to Cairns Hospital in a critical condition. He was then flown to Townsville Hospital and his condition improved to stable.
The Cairns Post reports that taipans are considered Australia’s most dangerous snake based on their hostility and are among the most venomous in the world. Rockhampton-based snake catcher Wayne Cameron died from a bite from the deadly animal in April.
Cairns snake catcher Matt Hagan told the Cairns Post that the snakes had particularly long fangs and were capable of injecting large amounts of venom into prey.
“What makes them really dangerous is they strike very quickly and multiple times,” he said.
Mr Hagan said he did not know the circumstances behind the bite, but the snake could well have been outside sunning itself. He said there would be an increase in snake activity with their breeding season running through August and September.
While it always pays to be cautious, grey nomads need to be doubly careful about where they set up camp, and what they tread on when they’re on a bushwalk.
Experts say that snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. They only attack humans if hurt, provoked or cornered, with most bites occurring when people tried to kill or capture snakes.
If grey nomads or other travellers come across a snake in the bush, they are advised to back slowly away and leave the snake alone.
Yes, several times with Eastern Brown snakes. They live on our one acre property and generally peacefully cohabitate with us. However, our foxies sometimes see them before us and all hell can break loose. We do not mind having them around as they keep the mice numbers down.