Bugs & Bites
While Australia is one of the best places in the world for wildlife, it also boasts some of the planet’s most deadly and poisonous animals.
With a number of potentially lethal snakes and spiders on land, and hidden enemies lurking in the water, it’s important that you know the proper course of action to take if you are unlucky enough to be bitten or stung.
Spiders
The fearsome funnel-webs and red-backs are the only two that are potentially deadly.
All bites from big black spiders should be suspected as funnel-web bites, as it can be hard to distinguish between species. The bite is painful and a victim will notice their saliva production increasing, sweating, watery eyes, muscle spasms, hypertension and a rapid heartbeat.
Funnel-web bites should be treated like snake bites, by immobilising the venom and seeking medical attention and anti-venom urgently.
Red-back bites are also painful and should be treated with an ice pack to help the pain before taking the victim to the nearest hospital.
All bites from snakes and spiders should receive immediate medical attention, as it can often be difficult to identify species as venomous and non-venomous.
Sea dangers
In the water there are sharks, crocodiles and jellyfish to look out for. Deadly sharks and crocs can be avoided by taking simple advice from signs and lifeguards on where and when it is safe to swim.
Both the box jellyfish and the irukandji jellyfish have potentially deadly stings, and appear in the Tropical North Queensland in the stinger season, between November and May. They aren’t overly energetic animals and have not caused any problems around the reef and islands but occur mainly around the beaches north of Bundaberg. Swimming is still possible at the beach inside stinger enclosures.
The stings are extremely painful and treatment must be immediate, pouring vinegar liberally over the tentacles and stinging cells.
Snakes
Almost 3,000 snake bite incidents occur in Australia each year, most commonly caused by brown snakes, although there are a number of other poisonous snakes to look out for.
If bitten by any snake it’s important not to wash the bitten area, as it will allow doctors to identify the type of snake involved and provide the right anti-venom.
Immediately apply firm bandages over a bite to slow down the spread of any venom. Immobilise the limb that has been bitten with a splint, and if possible don’t move the bite victim and allow the emergency services to come to you.
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