Burbage

On the other hand, Aussies manage to achieve the same rates as the UK on roads that are practically empty by comparison.

ABCDiamond

Are you really saying that the Australian roads are empty, and cars therefore go faster in Australia with less traffic jams ? That is a surprise.

DadAgain

gotta look out for dropbears too...

Pollyana

I mentioned them earlier but didn't want to scare them all with photos

simfaisal

Hi Dorothy,
Are you serious. Hmm..I'm very scared... Tell will you the truth. Is that exaggerated about the poisonous creatures of Australia. It looks like scary fairy tales. I too received some emails showing pictures of a spider, and after prickling on the thumb, thumb got severe wounds, and bones appearing.

Could anyone provide any official statistics and weblinks please?

Sushimania

I'd be surprised if she was serious

simfaisal

Hi Sushi,
I would be lucky enough if a spider will bite me, and then I become a spiderman! , always very scared about snakes!, but I do sometimes eat shark fish

Dorothy

You are much more likely to be injured or killed in a road accident than by any of the wildlife here. My post was meant as sarcasm.

Honestly, in 4 years here the only remotely venomous thing I have seen was a snake about 18 months ago. And that was laying across the road, flattened by dozens of cars. Of course we have had our share of spiders, but haven't died yet.

RenShen

I get so fed up when relatives in the UK bang on about "all the spiders and snakes we live with". Do they REALLY think we would live here with the kids, like hundreds of thousands of other expats, if it was so dangerous??? I don't do much to settle their fears though. If they are that thick that they believe all that crap, its better that they don't come.

verystormy

We live in semi bushland and see the odd tiger and brown snake, but pretty rare. I work in the outback and very rarely see anything dangerous

Dorothy

I know. When people back in Canada go on about the spiders and snakes here I remind them of the bears and mountain lions in Canada.

steve`o

are we having a blonde moment?

DadAgain

from: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Spider-facts

How many dangerous spider bites occur in Australia each year? Has anyone died from a bite recently?
There have been no deaths in Australia from a confirmed spider bite since 1979. An effective antivenom for Redback Spiders was introduced in 1956, and one for funnel-web spiders in 1980. These are the only two spiders that have caused deaths in Australia in the past.

A spider bite is not a notifiable medical emergency, so there are no Australia-wide statistics, but the following figures give an idea of the incidence of reported bites in recent years.

Approximately 2000 people are bitten each year by Redback Spiders

Funnel-web spider antivenom has been given to at least 100 patients since 1980. Antivenom is given only when signs of serious envenomation are observed. Many spider bites are 'blank', which means that no venom has been injected.

During 2000 the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre received 4,200 calls about spiders. However not all of these would have involved actual bites. Many reported bites are not able to be identified as definitely being from a spider, and it is nearly impossible to work out what species has caused a bite without seeing a specimen of the spider responsible.

Figures are from: Sutherland, S K and Nolch, G (2000) Dangerous Australian Animals. Hyland House, Flemington, Vic. 201 pp. ISBN 86447 076 3


and from: http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/animalattacks.htm

According to statistics from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit, no less than 28,128 Victorians were injured by animals between July 2004 and June 2007, that is nearly 10 000 a year.
Almost 7700 Victorians have been taken to hospital during this time after being attacked by dogs.
Horses were second, killing two people and injuring a further 5628. Mosquito bites also killed two people and sent 256 more to hospital.
Am amazing 9922 Victorians were hurt by creepy-crawlies, including spiders, bees, wasps, ticks, ants, centipedes and even scorpions. Some more unusual statistics: close to 50 Victorians were attacked by monkeys, family pets such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs injured 1117 people, and 450 people ended up at a hospital with insects stuck in eyes, nose or ears.
Chickens injured another 92, and stingrays over 50 people. Six people had to be treated after encountering ducks and alpacas.
Wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, possums and dingoes were responsible for attacks on 231 people.
And 1153 Victorians were attacked in their sleep or while resting or eating.

92 people sufficiently hurt by a chicken to justify seeing a medical professional? What the hell were they doing to the chicken?

Pollyana

Were they all hurt by the SAME chicken? Thats one tough bird!!!

DeadVim

Seen a few redbacks and dodgy looking snakes around our way in the 3 years we have been living semi-rural.

Nothing major ... keep the grass cut and shake out the boots before poking yer toes in my advice

And yes, I concur with the prevailing mood, a 'ute on yer jacksie is more likely to be your un-doing.