Believed to be the second most venomous snake in the world Australia’s Eastern Brown Snake bite are more common than any other snake bite in Australia.
It predominately inhabitates open wooded areas, grasslands and swamp lands along the Eastern part of Australia from Northern Queensland to South Australia. The Eastern Brown Snake also lives in Central and Western Northern Territory as well as New Guinea.
The Eastern Brown Snake despite a reputation of being an aggressive snake will attempt to avoid detection. But they are extremely defensive and if feeling threatened will defend themselves without hesitation.
Eastern Brown Snakes readily adapt to cleared terrain thus readily inhabit farmland and outer suburban areas where introduced food sources are readily available such as mice and rats. They will find shelter in disused rabbit burrows, under logs, rocks, roofing iron and building materials.
Female Eastern Brown Snakes lay eggs, generally about fifteen in a clutch. Hatchlings may appear after 36 to 95 days dependant on temperature.
The mating ritual may last up to 4 hours with the snakes intertwined during this time.
The Eastern Brown Snake varies in colour. From near black to light tan /chestnut on the back with the underside varying between cream and light orange.
Brown Snakes have good eyesight. If unable to avoid detection will rise up in a threatening manner facing their confronter face on ready to strike. Eastern Browns can strike within the blink of an eye and due to their small fangs, about 3mm in length, the victim may not feel the bite.
Eastern Brown Snake venom contains powerful neurotoxins, procoagulants, nephrotoxins and cardiotoxins which can result in paralysis and uncontrollable internal bleeding.
What to do in case of Eastern Brown Snake bite
Immediately immobilise a victims of Eastern Brown Snake envenomation or suspected envenomation. You should not suck out the venom nor wash it. Do not excise the wound or make it bleed. If able a pressure immobilisation bandage should be applied following the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) as taught in First Aid classes.
If you or someone else has been trained in First Aid apply a pressure immobilization bandage over the bite site and from the extremity of the limb as far up the limb as possible. Should the bite not be on a limb, firm direct pressure over the bite site may help.
Ideally if you observe any snake moving near you, you should remain still. The snake is likely to ignore you as a threat and go on its way.
Australia’s most venomous snake is the Inland Taipan, however that’s another story.