Australia’s Top Animal Hazards
From its lush green-forests to the Great Barrier Reef and the sun-scorched central deserts, Australia offers visitors great diversity, but those willing to discover its beauty, also have to cope with a less than friendly local wildlife. Here’s what tourists have to watch out for when traveling in the Land Down Under.
Salt Water Crocodiles
There are two species of crocodiles in Australia, the fresh water crocodiles (freshies) and the salt water crocodiles (salties); freshies normally don’t get bigger than 3 meters long and don’t attack humans unless provoked, while salties…they’re another matter, they sometimes grow up to 7 meters long, weigh up to 1000kgs and have humans on their menus. Except for the size difference, there are other ways to tell the difference between these two species, like the shape and size of their snouts and teeth, but if you get close enough to look at their teeth, it probably won’t help you much anyway.
Both salt water and fresh water crocodiles live in swamps, estuaries, lagoons and rivers across northern Australia and salties sometimes even venture for swims in the ocean, but you should be fine if you follow the warning signs around croc-populated areas and keep your distance. Crocodile attacks occur pretty often, although most of them are not fatal and, as previously mentioned, occur because people, especially foreign tourists, don’t heed warnings.
Spiders and insects
Because many people have a natural fear of spiders, many of them have come up with fairytales about the deadly spiders of Australia. It’s true, there are 2500 recorded species of spiders on this continent and about 7500 species yet to be recorded, which ads up to an impressive 10,000 different spiders. Out of all these, however, only two are considered dangerous for humans, the Funnel-Web spider and the Red-back spider, the others will likely cause mild pain and short-term irritation and swelling.
The Red-back spider has caused 10 deaths in Australia until 1956, when an anti-venom was developed and there have been no more fatalities since. This spider only bites in self-defense, for example if someone tampers with their web. It has a distinctive red spot on its back and if you get bitten you should find your way to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
The Funnel-Web spider is found across eastern Australia and most bites occur during the summer when males leave their burrows to mate. Their venom is very toxic especially for humans and all other primates, while other animals seem to be a lot more resistant. Their bite can be deadly but ever since the discovery of the anti-venom no deaths have been registered. Symptoms include local pain, mouth numbness, vomiting, abdominal pain and salivation.
The Paralysis Tick should also be avoided when traveling along the Australian east-coast, its sting causes numbness around the bite-spot and it can be fatal to babies and small animals.
Sharks
As you probably already know, shark attacks aren’t very uncommon in Australian waters and, even though only a few of the 450 species of sharks found here attack humans, you should be very careful. Do not swim in areas with shark activities, never go swimming alone, don’t venture too far offshore, stay away from turbid waters and avoid swimming after it gets dark.
There are about 15 shark attacks in Australia every year, one of the highest rates in the world, and over one of these attacks is fatal.
Photo credits: 1
Snakes
The Inland Taipan is the world’s most venomous snake and it calls the dry planes and grasslands of Central Australia home. It reaches 2 meters in length and the venom injected in a single bite is enough to kill 100 adult humans. The Taipan is a docile snake, but it will attack if provoked or cornered so don’t give it a reason.
The King Brown or Mulga snake also poses a serious danger, it doesn’t have a particularly strong venom like the Taipan, but while the average snake injects no more than 10-20mg of venom in one bite, the Mulga injects about 150 mg.
Other snakes across Australia, like the various species of Tiger snakes are a serious danger, especially if anti-venom isn’t injected in time, that’s why it’s best to take some precautions. Always wear thick footwear and don’t go walking through tall grass areas or snoop around holes where snakes might be hiding, if you leave them alone, they’ll do the same.
Box-jellyfish
Across the northern coast of Australia lurks the most venomous creature on the planet, the box-jellyfish. Named after the square shape of its bell, the box-jellyfish, Chironex Fleckery especially delivers excruciating pain to its victims, that’s why it’s best to never go swimming alone. If you happen to get stung by one of the long 15 tentacles of the jellyfish, you will probably go into shock due to the pain and never make it to shore.
Just to get an idea of how dangerous this creature is, you should know its venom is 100 times stronger than that of a King Cobra and 1000 times stronger than a tarantula’s. The 3 meter-long tentacles each have around 5000 nematocysts. In case of a sting, vinegar should be poured over the tentacles to kill all remaining nematocysts and then removed by hand; cardiac massage and artificial will be required because the venom will cause the victim to go into cardiac arrest. Unless anti-venom is used quickly the sting is fatal.
The box jellyfish season lasts from October till May and swimming is forbidden unless protective nets are installed. The Irakundji is a smaller, but just as deadly relative of the Chironex Fleckery that sometimes manages to squeeze-through the holes of the nets.
All these critters shouldn’t scare you, Australia is a beautiful land with plenty to offer those that cross its doorstep, and most of these creatures won’t bother you unless you bother them first. All you have to do is follow the signs, listen to the warnings and your Australian experience is guaranteed to be memorable.
If you liked this post subscribe to our feed to get regular updates.
