The Red-bellied Black Snake is commonly encountered across eastern Australia. While often mistakenly called “poisonous,” these reptiles are venomous, meaning they inject their toxins. Their bite can cause significant illness, but fatalities are exceptionally rare, with no recorded human deaths.
Venom: What It Is and How It Works
A poisonous organism harms when ingested or absorbed, whereas a venomous one injects its toxins, typically through a bite or sting. The Red-bellied Black Snake’s venom is a complex mixture with hemotoxic and myotoxic properties.
These toxins affect blood components and muscle tissue. The venom contains neurotoxins, myotoxins, and coagulants, and can cause red blood cell breakdown. This combination can lead to systemic effects, impacting clotting and causing muscle damage.
Recognizing the Red-bellied Black Snake
The Red-bellied Black Snake has glossy black scales on its upper body, contrasting with vibrant red or pink on its flanks and belly. Adults typically measure around 1.25 meters, though some can reach up to 2.55 meters.
These snakes are found near water sources, including woodlands, forests, swamplands, and urban areas. They are shy and prefer to retreat from human encounters. If provoked or cornered, they may strike.
Immediate Actions After a Bite
A Red-bellied Black Snake bite can cause immediate symptoms. Victims may experience localized pain and swelling at the bite site, followed by systemic effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, and excessive sweating. Muscle aches, prolonged bleeding, or a temporary loss of smell may also occur.
Call emergency services (e.g., Triple Zero (000) in Australia) immediately after any suspected snake bite. While waiting for medical help, apply a pressure immobilization bandage if the bite is on a limb, starting directly over the bite site and extending up the limb. Keep the victim calm and still to slow venom spread.
Do not wash the bite site; venom residue can help medical professionals identify the snake and administer antivenom. Avoid cutting the wound, sucking out venom, or applying a tourniquet, as these are ineffective and harmful. Remove any jewelry or tight clothing from the bitten limb before swelling begins.
Prognosis and Professional Treatment
Red-bellied Black Snake bites are rarely fatal but can cause health issues requiring medical intervention. Complications include muscle damage, kidney damage, and blood clotting problems. Some patients may also experience a prolonged loss of smell (anosmia).
Medical treatment involves antivenom administration. For Red-bellied Black Snake bites, tiger snake antivenom is used and effectively neutralizes the venom. Supportive care, including pain management, hydration, and monitoring kidney function and blood parameters, is provided. Most individuals recover fully, though some may experience lingering effects like muscle weakness. Early antivenom administration within six hours can prevent myotoxicity, but antivenom carries a risk of hypersensitivity reactions.