News

15 April 2007: Death Attributed to Little Whip Snake

A 37-year-old amateur herpetologist from Melbourne died after being bitten by a snake at Mt Alexander in Victoria. After applying a bandage to the bitten finger, the man set out for his vehicle, but told his companion that the was feeling unwell and rested. When his companion returned a few minutes later the victim had lost consciousness. Ambulance officers were unable to revive him.

The snake was initially identified as a little whip snake, but that species is believed by most in the field to not present the danger of death. Unfortunately, the snake was released after a rough identification was made. Herpetologists and venom experts have questioned whether the snake was in fact a juvenile eastern brown snake.