Country guide
Snake envenoming is uncommon in Australia but often severe: a national study recorded a median of 87 envenomed patients and two snakebite deaths a year from 2005 to 2015. Brown snakes were the most frequent cause of envenoming, followed by tiger snakes and red-bellied black snakes, and most medically important Australian snakes are brown snakes, tiger snakes, taipans, death adders or black snakes.
~2
snakebite deaths a year (2005–2015 median)1
17 of 23
snakebite deaths in 2005–2015 caused by brown snakes1
~100
Australian snake species that are venomous2
If someone is bitten
Antivenom is given in hospitals. Don’t wait for symptoms.
Australia
Australian first aid for snakebite uses a pressure immobilisation bandage and splint, and advises not washing the bite.
Bangladesh
A 2017 study noted that the Indian polyvalent antivenom used in Bangladesh is not made from the venoms of local species such as the monocled cobra, and it did not prevent local tissue damage from cobra bites.
Brazil
Antivenom is free in Brazil's public health system (SUS), but it is only given in hospital, at reference hospitals chosen by each state.
India
Indian polyvalent antivenom is raised against the 'Big Four' and may not neutralise some regional species, such as the monocellate cobra in the North-East and the hump-nosed pit viper in the south-west.
Indonesia
Indonesia's own antivenom, made by Bio Farma, is raised against only three species (Javan spitting cobra, banded krait and Malayan pit viper), so it may work poorly for bites by other snakes such as green pit vipers.
Kenya
Antivenom is usually stocked only at hospitals and some health centres, so people bitten in rural areas often need to be referred, and delays are common.
Mexico
Mexico's public health system uses two anti-viper antivenoms; one is made from the venoms of the terciopelo and the Mexican west coast rattlesnake.
Nepal
100 is the police emergency number; call 102 for an ambulance.
Nigeria
Antivenoms made from Nigerian snake venoms (EchiTAb G and EchiTAb-Plus-ICP) have proved effective in clinical trials, while some imported antivenoms made from non-African snake venoms have proved ineffective.
Pakistan
Rescue 1122 handles ambulance and fire emergencies; the police number is 15.
Philippines
The only antivenom made in the Philippines is Philippine Cobra Antivenom, raised against the Philippine cobra; there is no locally made antivenom for pit viper bites.
South Africa
112 works for all emergencies from a mobile phone; 10177 is ambulance and fire, and 10111 is police.
Sri Lanka
119 (or 118) is the police emergency number; call 1990 for an ambulance.
United States
For free, expert 24/7 advice you can also call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222, but call 911 in an emergency.
Not listed? Call your local emergency number.
Venomous first
Oxyuranus scutellatus
Northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea
Medically significant
Acanthophis antarcticus
Eastern and southern Australia
Medically significant
Pseudonaja textilis
Eastern Australia and New Guinea
Medically significant
Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Australia
Medically significant
Pseudechis porphyriacus
Eastern Australia
Medically significant
Notechis scutatus
Southern Australia and Tasmania
Medically significantLook-alikes
Harmless snakes are often killed because they look like dangerous ones. Learn the differences, and still never handle a snake.
Harmless to people
They may still bite if handled. Give every snake space.
Every species
8 have a full profile so far. The others are listed by family, without a venom status until they have a sourced profile.
Source: Uetz, P. et al. (eds.), The Reptile Database, version 2026-06, via the Catalogue of Life (COL26.9). CC BY 4.0. Ranges in the source can be incomplete.
Johnston CI, Ryan NM, Page CB, Buckley NA, Brown SG, O'Leary MA, Isbister GK. The Australian Snakebite Project, 2005–2015 (ASP-20). Med J Aust. 2017;207(3):119-125. mja.com.au
NSW Government, Environment and Heritage. Snakes (updated 2024): about 100 Australian snakes are venomous, and only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill. environment.nsw.gov.au
