Does Everything In Australia Really Want To Eat Me?

Australians love to exaggerate how dangerous their wildlife is. If your entire knowledge of Australian wildlife comes from watching Crocodile Hunter, you could well be convinced that almost everything on the continent would be delighted to make a meal out of the next hapless tourist who ventures Down Under. But let's take a look at some actual facts.

Snakes

Around 2000 snakebites are recorded in Australia annually. Of these, some 200 require anti-Venum treatment, which is available for all poisonous species. There are 2-3 deaths recorded per year from snakebite.

Snakes are very shy and will only bite as a last resort. Stay away from them and they will stay away from you.

Spiders

Despite numerous poisonous spider species, there have been no recorded deaths from spider bites in Australia since 1979. Effective antivenins are available for all species.

Sharks

Yes, some sharks would actually eat you, particularly the Great Whites found in the colder waters around the southern states. Over the last decade, there have been an average of 15 sharks attacks with around 3 deaths per year. The vast majority of these attacks are against surfers. If you aren't a surfer or a deep-sea game fisher, it is incredibly unlikely that you will encounter any kind of shark at all, much less a man-eating one.

Crocodiles

There are two types of crocodiles in Australia, the freshwater and saltwater crocodile. Both species are found in the tropical north of the continent, though only the saltwater crocodile is dangerous to humans.

Historically, saltwater crocodiles account for around 1 death per year on average. If you don't plan to go swimming in the crocodile-infested estuarine waters of Far North Queensland or the Northern Territory, you should be absolutely fine.

Dingoes

Everyone's heard of Azaria Chamberlain, of The Dingo Took My Baby fame. There has been exactly one recorded death by dingo attack since Azaria's disappearance in 1980, a nine-year-old boy in 2001.

Jellyfish

While there have been some 60 deaths from jellyfish stings in the last century, the last recorded death was in 2006. Modern treatment for jellyfish stings is extremely effective.

Cone shells, Stonefish and Blue-Ringed Octopus

While all of these are poisonous, death from their bite or sting is incredibly unlikely. There has been one stonefish sting death, two from blue-ringed octopus bites, and none from cone shell stings recorded in the last century.

Centipedes, scorpions, ants, wasps and bees

No deaths have ever been recorded in Australia from centipede or scorpion venom. The ants, wasps and bees are no more dangerous than those found in many other countries worldwide, and stings or bites will not seriously endanger your health unless you are allergic.

Stingrays

Steve Irwin's death was a shocking anomaly. There have only been three stingray attack deaths in Australia in recorded history.

Platypus

The male duck-billed platypus is one of only three poisonous mammals in the world. If you're lucky enough to find one of these rare creatures in a river, don't grab it by the hind legs, where it conceals a poisonous spur. Even if you do, you won't die. There are no reported human fatalities.

Drop bears

Drop bears are a myth. There are no giant man-eating koalas that drop from trees and bite the heads off unsuspecting tourists. Promise.

The most common cause of death for tourists in Australia is natural causes, with car crashes a distant second and drowning third. Australia's beaches are far more dangerous for their offshore rips than any wildlife you might encounter, with 10-15 tourist deaths per year from drowning.

So remember, in Australia the wildlife really isn't out to eat you.* Drive on the left side of the road, visit one of our excellent medical facilities if you feel unwell, and always 'swim between the flags. Make sure you have adequate travel insurance just in case you are injured or fall seriously ill and enjoy your visit to the Lucky Country!

*Unless you're a surfer, in which case you're just going to have to take your chances.