Australia has a reputation for many things: shrimps on the barbie, blowflies, kangaroos, koalas and Crocodile Dundee. Perhaps it is in keeping with the country's larrikin reputation that the rest of the world view us as madcap bushwhackers that can handle any wild animal that crosses our path without so much as a bat of an eyelid. Well, the reality is a little different – sure there are quite a few of practical Aussie blokes (and girls!) that are adept at snake handling and don't run away squealing in fear, but for most Australian Mums and Dads the thought of handling venomous snakes makes us go a bit weak at the knees.
Australia is renowned for having some of the most venomous snakes in the world (of course we have non-venomous snakes too) but it is the poisonous ones that really grab the headlines. Almost every Aussie kid, especially those living in rural areas, are well versed on the dangers of snakes. Nervous parents lecture children about not walking in long grass without boots, and the bone chilling scream of "snake" is a well recognised cry in rural and semi rural areas the country over. While experts will tell you that the incidences of snake bite are rare and people are more likely to be killed in Australia by the European Honey Bee, it doesn't change the fact that snakes are most Australian parent's and dog owner's nightmares..
Having lived in rural areas of Australia most of my life, I have unfortunately killed the odd snakes in my time (in spite of the fact they are protected). I'm very sorry, but the idea of relocating a cranky brown snake by wrangling it into a sack while the kids stand poised ready to dial 000 (Aussie equivalent of 911) is not my idea of fun, and I think takes a good deal more skill than the average soccer Mum can muster. (Seriously the OH &S rules in Australia state we can't so much as use a can of fly spray without full "personal protection equipment" but they expect us to catch and bag a lethal reptile?? C'mon!!). I hate killing anything – out in the paddock or on the roads they are left alone, but if it is in the house yard, it has to been done - "Get the dogs away" "Where are my chickens?!" "Put your gumboots on!" "Find me a long handled shovel!".
I have lost 2 dearly loved dogs to snake bites and horrifyingly, know a 12 year old girl who lived nearby who stepped on a snake (she was in the vegetable garden in bare feet),who didn't realise she had been bitten and subsequently died. So as much as "experts" will say that the danger of snakes in Australia isn't as bad as people think, I firmly believe this has a lot to do with the fact that as a nation, we have grown up with a very healthy respect for venomous snakes and take appropriate precautions.
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