About dangerous snakes in Queensland
Queensland has twelve potentially dangerous snakes. The risk posed to people by these snakes depends on the venom toxicity, venom yield, fang length, temperament and bite frequency of each species.
Snake identification is difficult. Colour seems an obvious feature but in many cases, colour patterns vary particularly with very dangerous snakes where individuals of the same species may be very different in colour and different species can be similar.
It is important to understand why and how snakes bite. Snakes are not aggressive and do not seek confrontation with humans but may retaliate if provoked.
Some snakes, such as the Eastern Brown are nervous and very easily provoked. Others like the Red-bellied Black are more likely to attempt to deter threats by displays of hissing, flaring the body and thrashing around. As a last resort, they will bite. Once provoked, Eastern Browns and coastal Taipans may deliver several bites in quick succession while others such as the Mulga Snake will grip the victim and chew.
Some snakes give a warning bite with little or no injection of venom. However a dangerous snake always has the potential to inject enough venom to cause life-threatening symptoms with each bite particularly if it has been provoked or if it delivers multiple bites.
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