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Australia has more than it’s fair share of dangerous fauna, ranging from marine
creatures like sharks, blue ringed octopus, marine stingers, cone shells,
poisonous fish, sea snakes, stingrays, and saltwater crocodiles, to land based
dangers like spiders, scorpions, centipedes and snakes.
Australia has the un-enviable reputation of having some of the most venomous snakes in the world. Although some 'snakes' are non-venomous and others are just legless lizards, it is better to always treat everything that looks like a snake as potentially dangerous and stay well away from it.
When walking in the bush wear stout footwear and thick socks, don't poke around under logs and avoid putting you feet in places you can't clearly see. Stepping over fallen logs without being able to see what is on the other side is a good way to get bitten.
Snakes are not usually aggressive, although the tiger snake and king brown can be more so than most. In most situations a snake will seek to escape if allowed to do so.
DON'T go round killing every snake you see. They are an important part of the eco system and they have as much right to their lives as anything else. If you find a snake in your garden, shed or even inside the house, simply ring your local shire council and arrange for an experienced snake handler to come and remove it. Most people are bitten when trying to kill snakes, so don't do it.
For snakebite and other similar venom injections, always apply a compression bandage to delay the onset of problems. Keep the victim still, if possible, to slow circulation. The compression bandage needs to be wound tightly along the limb (it’s usually a leg or arm which is bitten) from the bite site right up the limb. Then place a splint on the limb to restrict movement even further.
The theory behind this method of treatment is that most snakes have short fangs
and the venom is more likely to enter the lymph system than the blood system. A
compression bandage will hold most of the venom in place until you can reach
assistance.
The most dangerous spider in W.A. is the red back. It is a relation of the American black widow and is responsible for a number of bites every year. Unfortunately they like to live where people live and can often be found on the underside of outdoor furniture and other places close to us. The bite is not usually fatal but can require hospitalisation.
Some other spiders, especially the white tailed spider, are also venomous to humans but none have the potential to do the harm of the red back.
Centipede
Although not often seen centipedes are actually quite common in Australia. They are not regarded as life threatening but they can inflict a very painful bite. The name may suggest that they have 100 legs but in reality they rarely have more than 40 or 50.
Sea snakes have highly toxic venom but are usually not aggressive. They are inquisitive and may come over to investigate swimmers or (more usually) divers. If unprovoked they usually swim away when their curiosity has been satisfied.
Unlike land snakes, sea snakes have short fangs usually located at the rear of their mouths. It is unusual for them to bite humans but extreme care should be taken when they are about. If accidentally caught on a fishing line (and they regularly are) it is much safer to cut the line rather than try to get the hook out.
There are two main types of poisonous fish, ones that sting and ones that are poisonous to eat. Fish that have venomous barbs include the stonefish (see below), the lion fish, the Spine Foot and to a lesser extent catfish and flat head.
Fish that are poisonous to eat include the toad fish (known locally as blow fish) and sometimes large members of usually non-toxic fish that accumulate poison (called ciguatera) in their bodies as they grow older from their eating habits. These include fish like red bass or chinaman.
There are two species of stonefish that live in Australian coastal waters.
Cone shells are potentially deadly as their venom is very powerful and they have been responsible for fatalities in the past. They should NEVER under any circumstances be handled. They are equipped with a dart that can be fired from an extendable proboscis and this means there is no safe way to pick them up.
Sting rays are common all along the West Australian coast and care should always be taken when wading in the shallows. Most stings from sting rays are not lethal but large harbour rays have killed a number of people in the past (there are at least 17 fatalities worldwide that have been linked to stingrays.) The most famous incident being the death of Steve Irwin, who with his knowledge of animals, should have known better than to get too close, but he was far from the first to be killed by this seemingly innocuous animal. There was even one incident of a large ray leaping out of the water into a boat and stinging a child who subsequently died.
In case of shark attack remove the victim from the water as soon as possible, apply a tourniquet if possible or pack wounds with bandages. To slow bleeding keep pressure on wounds. Lie the victim head down, elevate the legs (keep the blood supply flowing to the brain) Obviously get the victim to medical aid as soon as possible.
The three most dangerous species of shark in Australian waters are the great white, the tiger shark and the bull shark. Bull sharks don't get the publicity of their two larger cousins but they are responsible for more attacks that the other two species put together.
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