As the sun beats down on the Australian landscape, bringing with it the sweltering heat of summer, an unexpected danger slithers through the underbrush, causing alarm among residents. In recent times, Queensland has seen a startling increase in snake encounters, leading to a surge in hospital admissions due to snake bites. This has left many Australians on edge, particularly those in regions where snake sightings have become more frequent.
Over just one weekend, seven individuals in Queensland found themselves in the emergency room after suffering snake bites. The situation was so dire that paramedics were called out to treat 15 people for snake bites in the last week alone. Among these incidents, a man in his 30s faced a potentially life-threatening condition when he was bitten on the ankle at a property in Morayfield, north of Brisbane. The urgency of his situation was underscored by his rapid transport to Caboolture Hospital shortly after paramedics arrived at the scene around 3:16pm.
The ABC reported that Queensland Ambulance received 24 reports of snake bites in the week leading up to February 10, with the highest number of reports coming from the Gold Coast (five), followed by Cairns and Hinterland (four), and Darling Downs (four). The frequency of these reports is noteworthy, with 88 cases recorded in November 2024, which then jumped significantly to 129 in December, before slightly decreasing to 128 in January of this year.
The Rockhampton area, in particular, has noted a worrying trend in hospital visits due to snake bites, spanning from November last year to January 2025. This surge in snake-related incidents tragically includes the death of 16-year-old Beau Horan, who succumbed to a snake bite in Wurdong Heights last November.
David Voss, a seasoned snake catcher, described the summer as ‘busy’ and noted that the snake season had kicked off earlier than usual, following a warmer winter last year. ‘Snakes are very seasonal, so obviously during the warmer months there’s a lot more activity,’ Mr Voss explained to The Courier Mail.
In light of these events, Queensland Ambulance Service Rockhampton acting operations supervisor Joseph O’Donnell has issued a stern warning to Queenslanders: ‘Avoid snakes.’ He advised that if you encounter a snake, the best course of action is to leave it alone. ‘We assume every snake bite is a venomous bite,’ he stated, highlighting the gravity of each incident.
The symptoms of a snake bite can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to significant pain at the bite site. However, some individuals may not even realise they’ve been bitten, as the marks aren’t always visible and the sensation may not be immediate. ‘Symptoms of a snake bite might not appear for an hour or more. It’s important to act quickly if you think a snake has bitten you or someone else,’ advises the Queensland Health website.
In the event of a snake bite, the recommended response is to remain calm, move to a safe place, and stay still. It’s crucial not to wash, suck, or cut the bite site. Instead, calling Triple Zero for emergency assistance is imperative. The Queensland Health website further advises that the bitten person should lie down to prevent walking or moving around until the ambulance arrives, with specific treatment instructions varying depending on the location of the bite.
What steps do you take to stay safe during snake season? Share your experiences, tips, and thoughts in the comments below—we look forward to your insights!
Also read: How one dad survived a snake attack with a split-second decision
