Tiger Snake

 Yes, in case you were not aware, Tiger Snakes are dangerous to humans. Their venom contains a powerful neurotoxin and coagulant. If bitten, seek help urgently. The current recommendation for snake bite is to apply a pressure bandage to the whole limb and to immobolise the limb and the patient as much as is practicable. Do NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound or suck the venom. The reported human mortality rate from untreated bites is estimated between 40-60%.

 

The St John Ambulance First Aid Factsheet for Snakebite (LINK), might be worth downloading for quick reference.

 

The best advice if you come across a Tiger Snake is to remain stationary or to move away slowly. It cannot hear you or feel vibrations through the ground. If it senses you, it will invariably decide you are too big for a meal and meander off. Generally, Tiger Snakes do NOT ‘attack’ something as large as a human, unless it is cornered or provoked.

 

 The Tiger Snake is endemic to south-east and south-west Australia. They are usually found near water as frogs and small birds are their favourite prey. Tigers do climb trees at times. They also take insects and carrion. Altitudinally, Tiger Snakes can be found from the coast to about 1000m.

 

The ‘tiger banding’ can be very obvious on some individuals or almost non-existent on others. Tiger Snakes typically grow to about 0.9 to 1.2m in length. They can give birth to anything from 10 to nearly 100 live babies. It is believed that some populations of Tiger Snakes exhibit cannibalism.

 

Kookaburras, Butcherbirds and Goshawks are known to prey on Tiger Snakes. Tigers can swim and will sometimes take prey such as small fish, from below the surface.

 

Summer is considered the best season for Tiger Snake activity although it is not unusual to come across one sunbaking in a patch of winter sunlight.