Thankfully, Neville Burns is not one to hold a grudge. Despite nearly losing his
life to a brown snake bite, he believes they suffer from a poor public image, and
talks about the species with something akin to affection!
I
n the eyes of the public, there is, it seems, no
other venomous Australian snake that deserves
as much negative feedback as this species.
Comments such as 'very aggressive’, 'nasty
snakes', and 'will chase you' are often heard. The
fact that the Eastern Brown Snake ranks as number
one for human deaths amongst Australian snakes
only helps to contribute to its fearsome reputation
and the exaggerated claims of unprovoked attacks.
Based on the LD50 test used by scientists to
determine the toxicity of venom (i.e. the lethal dose
of venom that kills 50% of laboratory mice) the
Eastern Brown Snake is the second most
venomous snake in the world - outranked only by
another Australian species, the Inland Taipan. The
lower the LD50 the more lethal the venom, and the
Eastern Brown Snake’s rating is 0.053mg/kg
(milligrams of venom per kilogram of body weight).
However, many herpetologists question if this can
be accurately applied to humans as human
physiology is far different to that of mice.
Studies show a marked change in the venom of
the Eastern Brown Snake as the snake matures.
Juvenile specimens feed mainly on lizards and
their venom is chiefly neurotoxic in nature, but the
venom of more mature specimens, which feed
largely on rats and mice, acts primarily through
powerful procoagulants. The exact age at which
this change occurs is yet to be determined.
As a full-time snake exhibitor and training course
provider I am often asked by members of the public
which species I consider the most dangerous to
handle. And yes, in my opinion the Eastern Brown
Snake is one of the most dangerous snakes to
handle, as it is very agile and will defend itself
vigorously. But does this mean it deserves its
reputation for aggression and ‘chasing’ people? Not
at all! Eastern Brown Snakes, like any other
venomous snakes, prefer to use their considerable
speed to avoid confrontations with humans rather
than attack. Often the snake will remain still when
approached, in the hope that it is not detected due
to its cryptic colouration. Snakes lack the mental
capacity to weigh up situations analytically, and
react instinctively. Venom is for two purposes only;
to kill prey items and to aid in digestion. No human
looks like prey to a venomous snake. And even if a
snake attacked by a large predator (or human) is
able to deliver a meaningful bite, by the time the
venom takes effect, it is likely that snake itself is
injured or dead. It makes more sense, therefore, for
the snake to either flee, or bluff by appearing to be
willing to strike.
A landmark study by Rick Shine and Pat Whitaker,
published in 1999, indicated quite clearly that the
Eastern Brown Snake’s reputation for aggression is
undeserved. Personally, I hate the term ‘aggression’
being applied to snakes, as it is my experience that
snakes are merely defensive. Certainly, Eastern
Brown Snakes can be dangerous and difficult if
‘tailed’ or otherwise handled, but the reptile cannot
be denied the right to defend itself. Furthermore, the
average member of the public has little understand-
ing of a snake’s reactions and responses and can
often misconstrue defensive behaviour as
aggression.
The site for Shine and Whitaker’s study at Yanco in
New South Wales was chosen on the basis of the
number of shed skins in the area, and was about
one kilometre away from an escape channel I had
‘The Eastern Brown Snake is one
of the MOST DANGEROUS
snakes to handle; but does this
mean that it deserves its
reputation for AGGRESSION ?’
recommended because of the number of Eastern
Brown Snakes I had encountered at this location –
and the number collected by local snake man Roy
Reynolds, who for years had supplied Eric Worrell
and the Cann brothers. In this study, the research-
ers had 455 encounters with Eastern Brown
Snakes, and found that the snakes were far more
tolerant than was popularly believed. Less than 3%
of the snakes actually advanced towards the
scientists; 40% retreated, while 40% remained
stationary, and 9% ignored the human. Moving
snakes were more likely to react, with those that
were stationary relying on lack of movement and
camouflage to avoid detection. The researchers
also discovered that snakes were more likely to
recognise the approach of a person wearing dark
clothing and move away, whereas a slow approach
or cloud cover increased the risk of a close
encounter.
Of the snakes that did react, 58% gave what was
termed a ‘full’ warning, with the forebody raised high
off the ground, the neck in an ‘S’ shape, and the
mouth sometimes open. From this position strikes
are slower, but delivered with greater accuracy, and
are more likely to result in a meaningful bite with