Australian Wildlife
Topics on this page: Snakes : Birds : Scorpions : Spiders SnakesThere are about 120 species of snake in Queensland.
This link, from the Queensland Museum, is one of many with some information on them:
On checking for details on Deaths from Snakebites, I found this bit: - Q: Are there many deaths from snakebite in Queensland?
A: Most snakes attempt to avoid biting humans, but many will do so in defence if they are deliberately provoked or accidentally disturbed. Even though snakebites happens regularly, (about 2000 per year), death from such an event is rare in Queensland and in the rest of Australia.
I found this quote "The most recent published survey of deaths from snakebite in Australia found a slightly higher death rate of around 3.2 deaths per year" at University of Melbourne and this one "Each year in Australia approximately 2,000 people are bitten. Of these 200 require antivenom treatment and one bite proves fatal." from Snakes Harmful and Harmless
For a referral to a local snake collector contact the service listed for your state: - NSW: Wildlife and Information Rescue Service (WIRES), phone: (02) 8977 3333.
- VIC: The Wildlife Care Network, phone: 0500 540 000
- SA: Fauna Rescue, phone: 08 8289 0896, or Adelaide Snake Catchers, phone: 0413 665 483
- QLD: QLD Parks and Wildlife Service, phone: (07) 3202 0220
- WA: Conservation and Land Management (CALM), Wildlife Protection, phone: (08) 9334 0292 (BH), (08) 9334 0333 (AH)
- NT: Darwin and Darwin Rural Snake Callout, phone: 0407 610 039
- TAS: Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, Nature Conservation Branch, phone: (03) 6233 6556
- ACT: ACT Parks and Conservation - Southside, phone: (02) 6207 2127; Northside, phone: (02) 6207 2113
Contact Numbers courtesy of: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/1999/archives/25?p=2000 Snakes often die when relocated but if you do want the snake removed for its own safety, contact Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) on 1300 130 372 (24 hours) or your local QPWS office to find out how to contact a local snake handler. Alternatively, contact the Queensland Reptile and Amphibian Club on 07 3200 0266 for advice and information.
SpidersA useful page from the Australian Museum Online, about Spiders.
What I consider an IMPORTANT point is this section:
Q: How many dangerous spider bites occur in Australia each year? Has anyone died from a bite recently?
A: There have been no deaths in Australia from a confirmed spider bite since 1979
An effective antivenom for Redback Spiders was introduced in 1956, and one for funnel-web spiders in 1980.
These are the only two spiders that have caused deaths in Australia in the past.
A spider bite is not a notifiable medical emergency, so there are no Australia-wide statistics, but the following figures give an idea of the incidence of reported bites in recent years.
Approximately 2000 people are bitten each year by Redback Spiders
Funnel-web spider antivenom has been given to at least 100 patients since 1980.
Antivenom is given only when signs of serious envenomation are observed. Many spider bites are 'blank', which means that no venom has been injected.
During 2000 the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre received 4,200 calls about spiders. However not all of these would have involved actual bites. Many reported bites are not able to be identified as definitely being from a spider, and it is nearly impossible to work out what species has caused a bite without seeing a specimen of the spider responsible.
Spider BitesFirst aid treatment for spider bites is different for different spiders. - Funnel web spiders (Eastern Australia), are the most dangerous of all the world's spiders.
- Red back spider bites are common, but rarely cause death.
- Huntsman spiders come into houses especially in summer. They are usually timid, but bites cause
pain around the bite and occasionally headache and vomiting. A useful source of info at: Spider Bites
Spiders and their relatives
ScorpionsAustralian scorpions can give a painful sting but are not considered dangerous.
Scorpions are mostly nocturnal but they can be active during the day, especially during prolonged wet weather. There are 29 species of Scorpion in Australia.
First aid for a sting is to apply a cold pack and to seek medical aid if pain persists.
It is also a good idea to try to catch the scorpion and have it identified.
Click here for link
The scorpion usually seen in houses is the Small Marbled Scorpion.
[ image disabled ]
Click here for link
It is widespread in southern Australia, and is one of the three known species of scorpions found in the greater Melbourne region.
The sting of the Little Marbled Scorpion can cause inflammation and pain for several hours, and medical advice should be sought.
Pain?Fortunately, Australian scorpions aren't as poisonous as those in other countries. A sting might hurt for a few hours. The victim might need some treatment for pain but there should be no long lasting effects.
Click here for link
Scorpions are good for pest control in the garden, so if you do get one in the house, put it back in the garden, if you can, rather than killing it.
There are over 1500 species of scorpion (world-wide) but only 25 can kill people.
Birds
|
