16 Australian Snakebite Statistics to Know in 2024: Rates, Deaths & FAQ
Michael Hansen 
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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
You’re probably more likely to hear about rattlesnake bite statistics in the United States than other venomous species. Australia is a different story when it comes to snakebite deaths per year and what animals are causing the problems. The country faces challenges Down Under that aren’t as much of a challenge elsewhere.
Outdoor workers, such as landscape employees and zoo industry workers, reported half of all snakebites in this country. That’s something the United States shares with Australia, where people in the agricultural industry are at the greatest risk of a dangerous encounter. The takeaway message is the same. Don’t approach a snake in the wild, particularly if it’s acting aggressively or you’re uncertain about the species.
Our figures represent the latest available aggregated data. Unfortunately, snakebites often are not reported for various reasons, particularly in developing countries. The reality is that our snake deaths per year worldwide probably are more conservative than the numbers show.
The 16 Australian Snakebite Statistics
- About 3,000 snakebites occur each year in Australia.
- Up to 13% of human snakebite cases require antivenom treatment.
- Australia averages about 2 snakebite fatalities a year.
- Australia’s veterinary snakebite registry, SnakeMap, reported 624 cases among pets, with 419 dogs and 205 cats.
- Snake-pet incidences happened 85% of the time on the owner’s property with dogs and only 26% with cats.
- About 88% of the stricken pets survived being bit by venomous snakes.
- The Staffordshire Bull Terrier accounted for about 25% of dogs bitten by snakes.
- Cats have the edge when it comes to venomous snakebites, surviving 66% of the time versus 31% with dogs.
- Australia is home to 140 species of terrestrial snakes.
- About 20 species of Australia’s snake species are venomous.
- The Eastern Brown Snake causes about 60% of snakebite deaths.
- The Inland Taipan has the deadliest venom, with an LD50 of only 0.025 mg per kg.
- Only 58% of Western Australians surveyed could correctly ID venomous snakes.
- A total of 29 people died from snakebites between 2010 to 2019 in Australia.
- Nine people died from snakebites in 2018, making it Australia’s deadliest year.
- Children were 34% less likely to know how to identify venomous snakes than adults.
The Victims
1. About 3,000 snakebites occur each year in Australia.
(ABC NEWS AU)
According to ABC News Australia, about 3,000 snakebites occur each year in people. Some other parts of the world exceed this figure, with 100,000 incidents occurring in Asia-Europe. India tops the list of countries, with an estimated 46,900 deaths every year. However, this is still a striking statistic.
2. Up to 13% of human snakebite cases require antivenom treatment.
(PLOS Medicine)
About 200 of the 1,500 snakebites in Australia require medical intervention with antivenom therapy. The country shares obstacles that other nations face, such as India. The lack of a more aggressive campaign to help these victims prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to reclassify snakebites as a Category “A” Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
3. Australia averages about 2 snakebite fatalities a year.
(ABC NEWS AU)
Luckily, the snakebite statistics by state, including deaths, are low at only 2 per year. Fatalities are preventable with the availability of antivenom therapy and increased awareness about the risks involved with these reptiles. The snake bike deaths in the United States reflect a similar pattern.
4. Australia’s veterinary snakebite registry, SnakeMap, reported 624 cases among pets, with 419 dogs and 205 cats.
(VIN News)
SnakeMap was the brainchild of Dr. Manuel Boller, who saw a lack of data about snakebites when he first came to Australia in 2012. Boller released his first round of statistics in 2020, with 419 dogs and 205 cats victims of these injuries. The same shortcoming also exists with these figures with underreporting the number of incidences.
5. Snake-pet incidences happened 85% of the time on the owner’s property with dogs and only 26% with cats.
(Australian Veterinary Journal)
The SnakeMap data revealed some interesting findings.
6. About 88% of the stricken pets survived being bit by venomous snakes.
(VIN News)
Miraculously, 88% of pets survived their ordeal. That’s particularly interesting, given that cats share 90% of their DNA with humans, and with dogs, 84%. That may also explain the high survival rate for people. That’s even though some of the outcomes of a venomous snakebite include renal failure, convulsions, and hypotension or low blood pressure.
7. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier accounted for about 25% of dogs bitten by snakes.
(Phys.org)
In 2017, SnakeMap identified 40 different dog breeds that had been envenomed or bit by one of these animals. However, topping the list by far is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier with its history of bull-baiting. It’s not a pup that would back down from a challenge like a snake. It’s no wonder that this brave pooch would meet this fate. This was the most recent study of this kind.
8. Cats have the edge when it comes to venomous snakebites, surviving 66% of the time versus 31% with dogs.
(Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology)
One of the unfortunate consequences of a venomous snakebite is uncontrollable bleeding or venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy. Two contrasting factors explain the difference in cat and dog deaths. Felines respond better to treatment, while canines are more susceptible to the effects of the venom.
The Snakes
9. Australia is home to 140 species of terrestrial snakes.
(NSW)
Australia is home to 140 terrestrial snakes. We make the distinction since there are also sea snakes in northern Australia. Snakebites are more common with the former than the latter group of reptiles. That makes sense, given that a person would be more likely to encounter one on land.
10. About 100 species of Australia’s snake species are venomous.
(NSW)
Knowing that 100 Australian snake species are venomous seems scary, but you should also know that only about 12 of those species could actually cause death.
11. The Eastern Brown Snake causes about 60% of snakebite deaths.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
The Eastern Brown Snake stands out from all the other venomous species as the one causing the most snakebite deaths. A possible reason is the animal’s appearance. It doesn’t have the traits that we associate with a dangerous reptile. It’s drab-colored, yet it doesn’t have a rattler or unique behavioral characteristics to set it apart. Someone looking at it may think that it’s harmless.
12. The Inland Taipan has the deadliest venom, with an LD50 of only 0.025 mg per kg.
(ATSDR)
The LD50 of a substance describes the amount that would kill 50% of mice. The figure for the Inland Taipan is the lowest among the venomous snakes. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for comparison, the LD50 of cyanide is 1.52 mg per kg for humans.
The Future
13. Only 58% of Western Australians surveyed could correctly ID venomous snakes.
(Phys.org)
You’d think that living someplace where there were snakes that could kill you would spur you to know how to identify them. A Curtin University-led study revealed some disturbing facts, including the fact that only 58% of Western Australians knew their snakes, both venomous and non-venomous. That leaves 42% who wouldn’t know a dangerous animal if they saw one.
14. A total of 29 people died from snakebites between 2010 to 2019 in Australia.
(IHME)
It’s essential to put the data about snakebites into context. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Australians are more likely to die from ischemic heart disease or stroke than a snakebite.
15. Nine people died from snakebites in 2018, making it Australia’s deadliest year.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
As we’ve discussed, snakebite deaths are a rarity. The blip in the radar was 2018 when there were nine fatalities. There isn’t a clear reason that would explain as to why this is the case. It’s worth noting that the WHO’s NTD designation occurred in 2017.
16. Children were 34% less likely to know how to identify venomous snakes than adults.
(Phys.org)
Clearly, education about the dangers of venomous snakes is imperative. That’s especially true when you look at the disparity in knowledge between adults and children. The gulf is vast, at 34% between the two age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions About Australian Snakebites
Why are snakebites so common?
As we’ve discussed earlier, many venomous snakes have traits that don’t scream that they’re dangerous. They also have varying descriptions of how aggressive they are. It’s worth mentioning that Australia has a warm climate that can play a role in keeping a cold-blooded animal like a snake active.
What makes it so difficult to treat snakebites?
The remoteness of some of the places where snakebites occur poses several challenges. It’s difficult to get an envenomed person to a doctor or hospital for treatment. Time is of the essence when dealing with the severity of the consequences. There is also the cost. Treating a pet can cost thousands of dollars, let alone a person.
(AVRU)
What should I do if I see a snake?
Snakes don’t want to fight any more than you do. Animals try to avoid conflict at all costs. It uses precious energy, which a reptile would try to avoid. Take a clue from these facts. Stay clear of a snake. We also suggest wearing boots when traveling in snake country to put another barrier between you and a dangerous animal.
Are venomous snakes more aggressive?
The temperament of snakes varies with the species. Some, such as water snakes, are extremely cantankerous and will bite with little provocation. You also need to consider the likely encounters between humans and these reptiles. That varies with the species and location. The latter will affect whether an animal would tolerate the presence of people.
What is needed to get the snakebite issue under control?
Education is the ultimate goal, as we’ve seen with the stat about children’s recognition of snakes. It’s also a matter of instilling respect for all wildlife. Any animal you come across in the wild is a potential threat. People need to learn to treat it as such.
(AVRU)
Conclusion
The alleged incidence of snakebites gets a lot of press in Australia. While the facts support the caution, the numbers show a slight risk. Nevertheless, the stats tell a story that is worth listening to and taking the necessary action to avoid an encounter. These animals are dangerous and deserve a wide berth if you come across one in the wild.
Featured Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock
