It's the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. Australia has about 140 species of terrestrial snakes and 32 marine species. About 100 Australian species are venomous, and the most venomous snake in the world is the Inland Taipan. The second most venomous snake in the world is the Eastern Brown Snake, and this is the species that causes the most deaths in Australia (mind you, that's just one or two unlucky people a year, thanks to widespread access to antivenoms in Australia). Indeed the top four most venomous snakes in the world are Australian, and five of the top twenty most venomous snakes in the world are Australian.
Ouroboros by Lindy Lee at the National Gallery in Canberra. Going to see it at night is very popular.
Having doubtless scared all non-Aussies witless, I will now point out that I only saw one snake in November when we were visiting Australia, and it was a non-venomous python, in a terrarium.
The resident Woma Python at the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve visitor centre in Canberra.
I did go to see the new sculpture at the Australian National Gallery several times though. It is called Ouroboros, by the artist Lindy Lee, and is causing a sensation. Ouroboros is a snake eating its own tail, representing the eternal cycle of life.
Snake warning sign at the thermal pool at Yarrangobilly. I imagine people do occasionally find themselves sharing the pool with a thirsty snake.
Indigenous Australians also have Dreamtime legends about snakes, the best known being Almudj the Rainbow Serpent, a creator being that many indigenous Australian cultures have stories about. With her passing through the landscape she creates waterholes, ravines and ranges of hills. Now she lives at the bottom of a deep pool fed by a waterfall and guarded by a rock formation. Sometimes she rises from the pool and floods the land. Wrongdoers will be drowned. Other times she stands upright on her tail and you can see her as a rainbow in the sky. Although it is permitted to see her image painted on the rocks at Ubirr, she herself should not be sought out or disturbed.
This rock formation is Rainbow Serpent's sign, warning you to be respectful as she is close.
Snake bite kits in the pharmacy at Merrimbula. I've never seen this before. Apparently the hardware stores sell them too. They contain heavy crepe bandages, gauze swabs, snake bite specific first aid advice, a snake bite identification card and a thermal reflective accident blanket.
Ouroboros in daylight.
Article in the Pittsworth Sentinel, a small rural newspaper, warning people to be careful about snakes.
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