First Aid

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Tiger Snake

Venom injected from animals will harm the human body in some way. In many cases, choosing the most appropriate First Aid technique for a particular bite or sting is important because it may save the person’s life. In other cases it will help relieve the pain caused by the venom. It is also important to identify the animal and to observe the patient’s symptoms and signs in case further medical treatment is required.

First Aid Techniques

Emergency Procedures

 

If a person requires first aid because of injury from a venomous animal, choose one of the following links.

Snakes
Spiders
Ants, Bees and Wasps
Jellyfish
Stinging Fish
Other Marine		Paralysis Tick
Scorpion sting
Centipede bite
Leeches
Moth & Caterpillars
Platypuses

About Venom

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Funnel-web spider

Venom is made up of poisonous chemicals called toxins. Many animals have developed ways of injecting venom into other animals. When the toxins in the venom are absorbed into an animal’s body, they have a harmful effect on that animal.

Venom is part of some creatures’ survival kit-they use their toxic weapons to survive. Some animals inject venom to gather and kill their food. Other animals use it to repel their attackers. Some animals use venom for both attack and defence.

Venomous Animals

These pages provide information on the general biology of many of Australia's venomous creatures. Information includes notes on their habitat, morphology, behaviour, diet, and other interesting material.

Facts and Figures

Here you will find a collection of interesting bits and pieces generally concerned with venomous animals of Australia and their impact on humans.

Venom and Antivenom

Find out here how antivenom is made and how it works, and find out about the nature of venom and its effects.

Clinical

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This section is for medical and veterinary professionals, and for those wishing to know about professonal treatment.

Medical Advisory Service

Medical

Vets & Pets

For Kids

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This area of the AVRU website is for kids. To go to a page, just click on one of the links below.

Art Gallery

Colouring

Facts

Quiz

Wordfind

 

AVRU has also produced a new learning package

Go to The Venom Patrol

 

 

 

Reference Section

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This section of the AVRU website will contain various reference resources of general interest as well as historic archives of interest to professional historians. It is planned to be regularly expanded as resources allow - the Unit would appreciate any volunteers who may wish to assist in this project ! At this point the References consist of the Compendium, Archives, Bibliography and Glossary. The key reference for the site, developed in collaboration with the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre (Austehc; within the Arts Faculty of the University of Melbourne) is the AVRU "Compendium".This component of the site provides an encyclopedia of diverse venom-related topics. The "Archives" currently relate largely to the work of Struan Sutherland but will be expanded to include the work of Drs Charles Campbell in PNG and Charles Kellaway, formerly the Director of the Walter and Elisa Hall Institute of Medical Research, and other pioneers of Australian toxinology. The Bibliography is an ever growing searchable list of toxinology references. It collates publications concerning Australian toxinology, including snakebite, venomous marine creatures and arthropods, from colonial times to the modern era. Its main purpose is to provide a reference list to represent the literature prior to electronic publishing.

Links

Bibliography

Exotic Antivenom Holdings

Glossary

Archives

Research

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This section provides an overview of the diverse research activities of the AVRU. In summary the Unit is focused on the envenomed patient (from individuals to whole populations) as well as the creatures, venoms and toxins that affect them. Our work is interdisciplinary and covers a very broad range of creatures using our expertise in laboratory research, clinical medicine and public health. Whilst Australia is our main focus we have a broad interest in the Indo-Pacific (especially PNG) and have various collaborations throughout the world (see the 'International' and 'About Us' sections). Contact us for more details - we welcome the opportunity to collaborate.

Research Areas

Projects

People

Publications

Latest Research

 

The Venom Patrol Online Community

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graphic VP community online

Welcome to the Venom Patrol Online Community.

Go to the Venom Patrol website CLICK HERE NOW.

Go to "Students as Scientists" and "Teacher Exchanges" for comments and feedback.

Take a look at a video introductions by Dr Ken Winkel and Dr Roger Lowe of the Australian Venom Research Unit.

If you would like to find out about the development of the site take a look at Phil Taylor's video.

You can also download the Venom Patrol book.

Bookmark this page – there will be many changes coming soon.