How to Identify Snakes in Australia

While snakes serve a useful purpose by disposing of pests, particularly rodents, they are generally feared in most societies. Australia is a country that is famous for its fauna, maybe no more so than for the abundance of dangerous snakes. Whether living or traveling in Australia, it's a good idea to know how to identify snakes, especially those capable of inflicting severe pain and death.

Things You'll Need

• Reference book
• Elastic bandages
• Splint

Instructions

Identifying Snakes in Australia

1. A good reference book will be invaluable in helping you identify snakes. Before hiking in the bush or entering other areas where there is a good chance of encountering snakes, you should have memorized at least some of the basic characteristics and identifying traits of dangerous snakes.

2. The most noticeable characteristic about any snake, at first glance, will be its color. This can help identify some snakes that are very distinctive in color, but most of Australia's snakes range in color and those colors overlap different species. The brown snake, one of the most aggressive and venomous in Australia, can be various shades of brown to black, even orange or yellow.

3. An excellent identifier of snakes is its scales. The shape and number of scales and the number of rows of scales at a snake's mid-body are unique to each species. This identifier is useful if you have found a dead snake or a shed skin, but not very useful for a live snake given the proximity required to implement its use.

4. Knowing the areas of distribution of a snake species is helpful in identification. Although some snakes are found over large areas of the continent, others have limited range. Copperheads, for instance, are limited to the south eastern portion of the country.

5. Habitat is another distinguishing factor in a snake's species. Knowing where particular snakes tend to live will help you identify them. Most of Australia's snakes do not climb especially well, however.

Tips & Warnings

• When bush walking or hiking, always wear proper clothing. Boots, long pants and socks will limit exposed skin and decrease the effectiveness of any bite. Always bush walk with a partner. In the case of a bite, wrap the wound with an elastic bandage and use a splint and additional bandages to immobilize the affected limb. Excellent reference books are "Australia's Most Dangerous" by Australian Geographic, "Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia" by Harold Cogger.

• It is never recommended that you actively seek out snakes, or approach them, unless you have specific training.