Palmerston man Lachlan Davis survives Top End death adder snake attack

A Top End snake catcher is warning Territorians to be wary of handling wild snakes after a Palmerston man faced off with a death adder.

The moment Jodie Berry found out her son had been attacked by a death adder was “gut-wrenching”.

Ms Berry said her 21-year-old son Lachlan Davis had been driving from Palmerston to Marrakai to visit his sister, and came across the snake on the road.

“Being one of my children, they know that if they see an animal on the road to stop and try and help it off,” she said.

“But unbeknown to him, he didn’t realise that it was a death adder obviously and not realising how quick they are, it spun around and got him on... his thumb.”

Lachlan Davis was bitten by a plains death adder in Marrakai and taken to Palmerston Regional Hospital. Picture: Luke Allen

Ms Berry said her son sent a photo of the reptile to his sister who identified the plains death adder – which was later confirmed by Darwin Snake Catchers.

She said Mr Davis was monitored for six hours at Palmerston Regional Hospital after an immediate blood test on arrival.

Ms Berry said her son was transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital within 24 hours “only because the pain surrounding the bite mark itself wasn’t getting any better”, but he was released 12 hours later on Tuesday afternoon.

“He was okay yesterday (Wednesday), I think it’s sort of sinking into his head how lucky he actually was,” she said.

“It was lucky I wasn’t up there, because I’d throttle him – he gave me that much of a scare myself.

“A mate said, ‘well, wouldn’t that be uncanny? He survived a death adder bite, but he’s been throttled by his mother’.”

Darwin Snake Catchers director Luke Allen holds a highly venomous beaked sea snake. Picture: Supplied

Darwin Snake Catchers director Luke Allen said there were two species of death adder found in the Top End, though their numbers have dwindled due to the introduction of toxic cane toads and habitat disruption.

“Statistically speaking, death adder bites make up a minute number of bites presented to Australian hospitals each year – this is partly because death adders do not fare well in urbanised habitats so generally people come into contact with them less than other species,” he said.

“However, although annual bites from death adders are minimal, more often than not – about 60 per cent – bites result in envenomation.”

Mr Allen warned Territorians against interfering with any unfamiliar plants and animals.

“We live with such rich biodiversity here that human/animal conflict is inevitable but, the best thing to do is always simply observe and admire our wildlife from afar,” he said.

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Originally published as Palmerston man Lachlan Davis survives Top End death adder snake attack