DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH
Added on: 2nd Jul 2016
TIGER SNAKE
Most Australians know of tiger snakes and are aware of their
fearsome reputation, though few will ever encounter one.
Unfortunately, this species is much maligned because of its
aggressive nature and toxic venom; however, the tiger snake
should be recognized as a great survivor, superbly adapted
to some of the most inhospitable environments in Australia.
TIGER SHARK
The tiger shark is a species of requiem shark and the only living
member of the genus Galeocerdo. Commonly known as the
“sea tiger,” the tiger shark is a relatively large macro predator,
capable of attaining a length over five metres (sixteen feet).
It is found in many tropical and temperate waters, and it is
legally to blame for many attacks on humans (especially surfers)
in the waters off Australia.
RED-BELLIED BLACK SNAKE
The red-bellied black snake is a species of elapid snake native
to eastern Australia. Though its venom is capable of causing
significant illness, a bite from it is not generally fatal and is
less venomous than other deadly Australian snakes. It is
common in woodlands, forests, and swamplands of eastern
Australia. It is one of the country’s best-known snakes, as it
is common in urban areas along the eastern coast and has
an average length of 1.5 to 2 metres.
MULGA SNAKE (KING BROWN SNAKE)
A bite from this snake would be treated with black snake
anti-venom. As with many Australian snakes the colour is
variable, with most specimens being mid-brown, some have a
coppery tinge, and others are quite dark. Often, each
individual scale has a dark and a light area giving the snake
a subtle pattern. King browns are robust snakes with a wide head
and large specimens will reach a length over 2.5 metres.
THE DUGITE
Well known to southwestern WA residents, the dugite has made
itself at home around urban and semi-rural areas, drawn to the
prevalence of its favoured prey, the house mouse. The dugite is
a species of venomous, potentially lethal, snake and a member
of the Elapidae family.
CONE SHELLS
Cone shells, also known as killer cone snails, are notorious for
possessing a very powerful sting which they use to capture prey.
Many people have been fatally wounded when handling live
cones, especially those that feed upon molluscs and fish.
COMMON DEATH ADDER
There are several species of death adders in Australia but the
common death adder is the only one found in Sydney. They have
relatively large fangs, a toxic venom and before the introduction
of anti-venom, about sixty percent of their bites to humans
were fatal.
COASTAL TAIPAN
The coastal taipan is a species of large, highly venomous snake
of the Elapidae family. It is native to the coastal regions of
northern and eastern Australia and New Guinea. According to
most toxicological studies, this species is the third-most
venomous land snake in the world.
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