How can i recognise a venomous snake?

There is no absolute method of telling a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake bit it is certainly a good idea to know which dangerous snakes can be found in your area. Take time to look at photographs in an appropriate field guide so you can identify your local dangerous snakes.

Some can be readily identified because of their body form and size but colour alone in an unreliable guide to identification as there is a great deal of variation in colour within many species.

It is worth remembering that although 70% of Australian land snakes are venomous, only 20% are regarded as being dangerously venomous. In Australia less than 5 people die form snake bites each year, despite being the country with the most venomous snakes in the world.

There are several reasons for this. One is the that our snakes have short fangs, snakes mostly inhabit remote areas of Australia where few people live and medical staff are highly trained and proficient in dealing with snake bites.

Which snakes are venomous?

There are three venomous snake families in Australia;

• Elapids
• Sea Snakes
• Sea Kraits 

All the Elapid snakes are venomous, although most are only mildly so ans are not considered to be dangerous. They all have fixed hollow fangs in the front of the upper jaw, connected on each side by a duct to the venom gland. There are 15-23 scale rows around the mid body, excluding the broad belly scales.

The completely aquatic Sea Snakes have vertically compressed paddle-shaped tails and nostrils which are situated on the top of the snout with flaps that close when the snake is submerged. The vast majority of sea snakes are very venomous are rarely encountered.

While essentially marine snakes, the Sea Kraits do com onto land, particularly to lay eggs. All are characterised by numerous black cross-band and laterally placed nostrils. Although very poisonous sea kraits are reluctant to bite and are also rarely encountered.