Most dangerous snake in Australia: Taipans or brown snakes?

The inland taipan – or the eastern brown snake – is the most dangerous snake in Australia. But snakebite deaths in Australia are lower than many imagine.

The most dangerous snake in Australia is quite a title. There’s no shortage of dangerous snakes in Australia that you don’t want to encounter.

And, joy of joys, Australia is home to the most venomous snake in the world – the inland taipan. Inland taipans tend to be just under two metres long, with olive-coloured skin in summer and darker brown skin in winter. Get bitten by one of Australia’s most venomous snakes, and you’ve probably not got much time for the emergency services to respond to a 000 call.

The most dangerous snake in Australia?

Luckily, the inland taipan is fairly placid. It’ll strike if it feels it has to, but much prefers to move away from any potential threat. Even more luckily, Australia’s most venomous snakes live in the arid parts of Australia – in the outback border region between Queensland and South Australia – that hardly anyone ever goes to. There is no record of a fatal inland taipan bite – although a few people have died courtesy of bites from its slightly less venomous cousin, the coastal taipan. These are sometimes found in coastal Queensland.

That’s where the good news ends, because the world’s second most venomous land snake is also found in Australia, and puts in an appearance far more regularly.

An average of two to three people a year die from snake bites in Australia, and around 60% of the fatalities are due to bites from the eastern brown snake. Statistically, the eastern brown snake is the most dangerous snake in Australia.

Eastern brown snakes are the most dangerous snakes in Australia.

Where do eastern brown snakes live?

As the name suggests, it is brown (although shades vary from snake to snake). Adult eastern brown snakes are usually around two metres long. They’re found along much of the east coast and inland mountain ranges. Alas, that’s where the bulk of Australia’s population lives too. The eastern browns are also active during the day, which means they’re encountered far more than is strictly ideal.

They’re most likely to be found on rural farms. But bushwalkers should always look out ahead and watch where they’re putting their feet. Making noise when you walk helps, too. It lets the snakes know you’re coming and gives them time to get safely out of the way.

Are brown snakes aggressive and dangerous?

Eastern brown snakes are fast-moving, and have a not-entirely-fair reputation for being aggressive and bad-tempered. Most would still prefer to move away from danger. Alas, they have a rather liberal interpretation of when they’re under imminent threat and need to bite to protect themselves.

If an eastern brown is going to strike, it will raise its body off the ground in an S shape, and open its mouth. Try not to let it get to this stage – if you’re unfortunate enough to see one, remain calm, stay still, then move away slowly.

Not freaked out enough? Well Australia has other dangerous creatures to enjoy, such as cassowaries, crocodiles, great white sharks and stingrays.