Are we sure 2017 is the year of the rooster, and not the year of the snake? Every week this year it seems there have been incidents with snakes being reported in the media.
We all saw Natalie Bassingthwaighte get bitten on this season premier of I'm a Celeb, and the woman who went viral on social media after getting a snake stuck in her earlobe and on a more serious note, the guy bitten by a snake in Brisbane CBD this week. Would you know what to do if you see a snake?
![Snakes play an important role in our ecosystems, says Luke Reavley.](/web/20170204060008im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/k/u/l/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu5k8c.png/1486182123841.jpg)
Considering that we share this beautiful country with around 140 species of slithery serpentine, coming into conflict with snakes is surprisingly easy to avoid. If you see a snake, give it some space, and they'll be on their way before you know it.
The majority of bites happen when people accidentally step on a snake, or are trying to pick up or kill a snake which, believe it or not, is actually a criminal offence. They don't have arms, legs or claws, so their defence mechanism when threatened is to bite.
Despite living alongside some of the most venomous snakes on the planet, the chance of dying from a bite in Australia is extremely low. Statistically, you're more likely to be killed by a horse or a cow.
Many people seem to have a predisposition to hating snakes; I've witnessed people purposefully swerve on the road to hit them, which is not just illegal, it's simply inhumane. Snakes play an important role in our ecosystems. Without them, rat and mice populations would explode, creating a huge issue for our agriculture industry.
We're lucky enough to have some of the most unique snakes living here in Australia.
The inland taipan possesses the most toxic snake venom in the world, the amethystine python is among the largest snakes in the world and woma pythons lack heat-sensing pits as their diet consists of mostly other reptiles, including other snakes. These animals are fascinating, and are living right here with us - that's pretty cool.
Instead of fearing snakes, we should feel lucky that we get to live alongside these incredible animals.
They've been around for a long, long time and although you may not love snakes, they deserve your respect so we can live side by side happily and harmoniously.
While it's uncommon to be bitten by a snake, it's important to know how to treat a bite:
1. Make sure it is safe to administer first aid and keep your eye on the snake from a safe distance.
2. Reassure the patient, and ask them to stay calm and not to move.
3. Call 000
4. Apply a pressure bandage, starting from the extremities of the limb, and working your way back across the bite site to the top of the limb. The bandage should be tight, without cutting the blood supply to the limb. If you don't have a pressure bandage, you can use a piece of clothing.
5. If possible, mark the bite site with a pen and note the time.
6. Immobilise the limb and regularly check the patient's circulation.
7. Wait with the patient until medical assistance arrives.
Luke Reavley is managing editor of Australia Zoo's Crikey! Magazine
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