Data reveals increasing number of snake bites each year

Snake catchers in the Darling Downs might be reporting fewer call-outs, but data from Queensland Ambulance Service reveals a significant increase in reported snake bites in 2024. FULL STORY.

Queensland Ambulance Service data has revealed a spike in snake bites across the Darling Downs and wider South West region in the past two years.

The data comes as snake catchers in the Darling Downs region say they’re receiving less call outs, reporting one or two calls for assistance each day, down from four to five a day.

In the previous 12 months QAS responded to a total of 113 snake bites around both the Darling Downs and South West, with only a total of 87 reported in 2023.

Darling Downs Snake Catchers’ Gunter Glaser said it’s been an unusually quiet season for catchers, with more reports of individuals trying to take matters into their own hands.

Despite an increase in snake bites around the region Darling Downs snake catcher Gunter Glaser says he’s received less call outs than usual. Photo: Supplied

Earlier this month a Highfields man was rushed to Toowoomba Hospital with life-threatening injuries after reportedly receiving multiple bites to his hands. 

“Some people are sure they’ve identified the right type of snake and attempt to move it, if you can get a photo of it and send it to us we will identify it for free and proceed from there,” Mr Glaser said.

“You can reduce their visits by making sure your lawn is mowed and there’s no food around for them. If you have shrubs trim a gap underneath it and that will stop them from hiding under there.”

Mr Glaser said the most common snakes caught in the Darling Downs are eastern brown, black and carpet pythons.

Toowoomba Family Vets veterinarian Dr Louis Gilshenan said the season had slithered in early, with reports of animals being bitten coming as early as the start of September.

Dr Louis Gilshenan said snake season started early in the Darling Downs with beloved pets being brought in, in early September.

“The worst time of the year for them is generally late-September through to December which is when snakes are most active,” he said.

Dr Gilshenan said 90 per cent of snake bites were from eastern browns, while he estimated around 10 per cent were from black snakes.

“A bite from a black snake is harder to detect because they don’t clot in the blood the same way a bite from a brown snake would, and often the owners have witnessed the animal being bitten, so it can take a bit of detective work (on our part),” he said.

Human venom test kits are also used on animals to help vets determine what kind of snake has bitten the animal through blood and urine samples.

Dr Gilshenan advised anyone who suspects their beloved pet may have suffered a snake bite to immediately take them to the nearest vet.

“It’s a really time sensitive things so it’s important to get them to a vet as soon as possible,” he said.