Snake bite deaths in Australia: How many people are killed by snakes in Australia every year?
Snake bite deaths in Australia are not quite as prevalent as you might think. An average of 2.9 people a year are killed by snakes in Australia every year.
Australian snakes are notoriously worth avoiding. Most of the world’s most venomous snake species live in Australia, and there are plenty of others that aren’t quite as venomous, but make up for it in aggression.
When it comes to snake bite deaths in Australia, however, just how many people are killed by snakes in Australia every year?
Snake bite deaths in Australia
Wikipedia compiles a list of fatal snake bites in Australia, which is pulled together from various news sources. The Wikipedia list has 29 snake bite deaths in Australia since 2010, which is an average of two to three a year.
Most of these annual Australian snake bite deaths take place in remote areas, such as Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory or Meekatharra in Western Australia. But there have also been incidents close to sizable cities such as Tamworth, Fremantle, Townsville, Darwin and Rockhampton.
This list is not exhaustive, however. For example, it misses out the case in 2020 of the Tasmanian farmer who died after being bitten by a tiger snake.
Causes of death in Australia
Therefore, let’s go to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which keeps a record of causes of death in Australia. There are some exceptionally niche categories, but the one we’re interested in is X20. This is the statistical code for contact with venomous snakes and lizards. Given that it’s not the perenties and Australian water dragons that are killing people, it’s safe to assume this means snake bite deaths.
The current stats from the ABS go up to 2019, but here’s how many people are killed by snakes in Australia every year according to the latest release.
Snake bite deaths in Australia by year
- 2010 – 3 snake bite deaths
- 2011 – 2 snake bite deaths
- 2012 – 3 snake bite deaths
- 2013 – 4 snake bite deaths
- 2014 – 3 snake bite deaths
- 2015 – 2 snake bite deaths
- 2016 – 2 snake bite deaths
- 2017 – 2 snake bite deaths
- 2018 – 9 snake bite deaths
- 2019 – 1 snake bite death
- TOTAL – 29 snake bite deaths
That’s 29 snake bite deaths in Australia across ten years. Obviously 2018 is an outlier here, but the statistics show that an average of just under three people per year are killed by snakes in Australia. That’s more than are killed by crocodiles, and way more than are killed by spiders.
The eastern brown snake is the most dangerous snake in Australia, responsible for most snake bite deaths. But coastal taipans, tiger snakes and the Stephen’s banded snake have also claimed lives.