Extract from ABC News
Queensland's snake season has turned deadly after a man in his 60s was killed by a suspected brown snake bite in North Queensland.
The man died after being bitten as he tried to uncoil the reptile from a friend's leg near Mackay.
Experts say warmer weather means snakes are now more active, as they are looking to find a mate.
Hundreds of people are bitten by snakes in Queensland each year, but fatalities are uncommon in Australia.
"On average, it's two to three people per year we lose to snake bites, and that is very low compared to most other countries," University of Queensland toxinologist Christina Zdenek said.
"Just to give people perspective, there's 1,200 people in Australia that die every year from a car accident, so you're literally 400 times more likely to die from a car accident than snake bite."
But experts say how you respond in the minutes after a bite could be the difference between life and death.
When do snakes bite?
Despite their reputation, Dr Zdenek said snakes were generally reluctant to bite, and would only do so to protect themselves.
"The vast majority of bites in Australia are inflicted when the snake defends itself from a perceived attack — so when people are actually trying to kill it," she said.
"Sometimes, people try to remove a snake from their property or from within the house themselves, despite not having the training, and that's where they come undone.
"If you're in close proximity to a snake, stay safe by staying still."
What to do if you get bitten
Townsville ecologist and snake catcher Greg Calvert said anyone bitten by a snake should stop moving, stay calm and apply compression.
"Apply a broad bandage about as tight as you would a sprained ankle — start immediately right on top of the bite and then cover the entire limb that was bitten," Dr Calvert said.
"It's really a highly effective way of treating a snake bite, but it's only really going to be very effective if it's applied as soon as possible after the bites.
"A lot of the deaths unfortunately occur with people who don't take the bite seriously, who don't apply first aid."
Dr Calvert said help should come to the patient, rather than the other way around.
"So don't walk miles through the bush to get to an ambulance, get the ambulance to come to the person," he said.
What about my pets?
Dr Calvert said it was much more common to see pets, particularly dogs, die as a result of snake bites.
"There's a misplaced loyalty from dogs — they think they're protecting their owners," he said.
"But if the dog would just leave the snake alone, the snake could pass quite happily through the house without any kind of negative interaction.
"People who are trying to save their dog from a very serious bite by an eastern brown could potentially be up for costs of $10,000, or more in some cases, for the vet fees, and there's no guarantee that the dog will even survive."
Dr Calvert said any pet bitten by a snake should be taken to the vet immediately, regardless of whether the breed responsible has been identified.
"Sometimes with eastern browns, you can have quite a delay in terms of the dog showing symptoms," he said.
"But then several hours later, the dog will start going downhill, and by the time it starts showing symptoms, it's often too late for anyone to do anything about it."
What to do if you find a snake on your property
From baby's cots to toilet bowls, snakes can slither their way into the most unusual places in people's homes.
Killing a snake, or removing it without a permit, is an offence.
Dr Calvert advised confining the reptile to a room by closing the door and blocking it with a towel before calling a snake catcher.
"Never, ever interact directly with the snake," he said.
"The snake is often confused and lost and can't find its own way out, and in situations like that, you should always get a catcher."
If the snake is in the backyard, the best thing to do is leave it alone and it will move on by itself, Dr Calvert said.
"I always say to people that if you've got a python in your backyard, the best thing to do is race inside and quickly have a beer."
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