2. Brown SnakeBrown Snake
(Pseudonaja(Pseudonaja
textilis)textilis)The brown snake is approximately 1.5The brown snake is approximately 1.5
metres long, and is one of Australia's moremetres long, and is one of Australia's more
deadly creatures. They have venom whichdeadly creatures. They have venom which
can cause death to humans relativelycan cause death to humans relatively
quickly if left untreated. Brown snakes upquickly if left untreated. Brown snakes up
to 2.3 metres have been recorded into 2.3 metres have been recorded in
Australia.Australia.
They feed on small creatures, such as miceThey feed on small creatures, such as mice
and rats, small birds, lizards or even otherand rats, small birds, lizards or even other
snakes. These snakes are found in Easternsnakes. These snakes are found in Eastern
Australia, however they are not found inAustralia, however they are not found in
Tasmania. Tasmania.
3. The Great WhiteThe Great White
SharkShark
(Carcharodon(Carcharodon
carcharias)carcharias)The Great White Shark or affectionally known asThe Great White Shark or affectionally known as
the "Great White" belongs to a group of sharksthe "Great White" belongs to a group of sharks
namednamed Mackerel SharksMackerel Sharks. Its common name was. Its common name was
derived from the shark's white underbelly. Theyderived from the shark's white underbelly. They
are solitary animals, but have also beenare solitary animals, but have also been
reported to swim in pairs or groups. They arereported to swim in pairs or groups. They are
found on all coasts of Australia, and furthermorefound on all coasts of Australia, and furthermore
throughout the World.throughout the World.
They range between 3.5 to 5 metres long, andThey range between 3.5 to 5 metres long, and
weigh on average 1,300kg. The females areweigh on average 1,300kg. The females are
large than males. The Great White is grey inlarge than males. The Great White is grey in
colour from the top, and white underneath. Theycolour from the top, and white underneath. They
have on average 2,800 teeth in their mouth, allhave on average 2,800 teeth in their mouth, all
in rows and triangle in shape. They are slantedin rows and triangle in shape. They are slanted
on an angle inwards, which helps keep hold ofon an angle inwards, which helps keep hold of
their prey.their prey.
4. Being predatory animals, they feed on other fish,Being predatory animals, they feed on other fish,
including other sharks. They can even tackleincluding other sharks. They can even tackle
small whales. small whales.
Amazing Fact:Amazing Fact: Great White's also eat animalsGreat White's also eat animals
that are already dead.that are already dead.
They attack their prey once, and then wait andThey attack their prey once, and then wait and
let their prey bleed to death. They have anlet their prey bleed to death. They have an
amazing sense of smell, and can pick upamazing sense of smell, and can pick up
blood in water a long way away. This helpsblood in water a long way away. This helps
them to track down their prey, or potentialthem to track down their prey, or potential
prey. prey.
Amazing Fact:Amazing Fact: Shark's need to swim, or theyShark's need to swim, or they
will sink!will sink!
The Great White is constantly swimming, or itThe Great White is constantly swimming, or it
will begin to drop in the ocean.will begin to drop in the ocean.
5. Saltwater CrocodileSaltwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus)(Crocodylus porosus)
(The World's Largest Reptile)(The World's Largest Reptile)
The Saltwater Crocodile is the world's largest reptile.The Saltwater Crocodile is the world's largest reptile.
These amazing creatures are found on the northernThese amazing creatures are found on the northern
coast of Australia and inland for up to 100 kms orcoast of Australia and inland for up to 100 kms or
more. The Saltwater Crocodile has been reported tomore. The Saltwater Crocodile has been reported to
grow to lengths of 7 metres!, but the average size of agrow to lengths of 7 metres!, but the average size of a
Saltwater Crocodile is 4 metres long.Saltwater Crocodile is 4 metres long.
They reproduce in the wet season, with the femaleThey reproduce in the wet season, with the female
crocodile laying up to 60 eggs at a time. When thecrocodile laying up to 60 eggs at a time. When the
crocodiles are born, only a very small number of thesecrocodiles are born, only a very small number of these
survive in the wild and grow to be adult crocodiles.survive in the wild and grow to be adult crocodiles.
6. The crocodile is now a protected species in Australia,The crocodile is now a protected species in Australia,
however if human danger is a factor, the crocodilehowever if human danger is a factor, the crocodile
will be moved away from possible contact. Manywill be moved away from possible contact. Many
years ago Australia used to export crocodile skin, thisyears ago Australia used to export crocodile skin, this
is now illegal.is now illegal.
Irukandji Jellyfish (Carukua barnesi)
7. Irukandji JellyfishIrukandji Jellyfish
(Carukua barnesi)(Carukua barnesi)
The Irukandji (Carukua barnesi)The Irukandji (Carukua barnesi)
inhabits Northen Australianinhabits Northen Australian
waters. This is a deadly jellyfish,waters. This is a deadly jellyfish,
which is only 2.5 cenimetres inwhich is only 2.5 cenimetres in
diameter, which makes it very harddiameter, which makes it very hard
to spot in the water.to spot in the water.
This is a species of jellyfish which hasThis is a species of jellyfish which has
become known about in recent years,become known about in recent years,
due to deaths of swimmers indue to deaths of swimmers in
Australia. In 2002, Richard JordonAustralia. In 2002, Richard Jordon
was stung whilst swimming off thewas stung whilst swimming off the
coast of Hamilton Island. He was a 58coast of Hamilton Island. He was a 58
year old British tourist,year old British tourist,
unfortunately he died a few daysunfortunately he died a few days
later.later.
This deadly species of jellyfish isThis deadly species of jellyfish is
relater to another deadlyrelater to another deadly
jellyfish, the box jellyfish.jellyfish, the box jellyfish.
Amazing Fact:Amazing Fact: The Irukandji jellyfishThe Irukandji jellyfish
is only 2.5 centimetres in diameter,is only 2.5 centimetres in diameter,
but can cause death to humansbut can cause death to humans
8. Red Back SpiderRed Back Spider
(Latrodectus(Latrodectus
hasselti)hasselti)
The Red Back Spider is Australia's most well known deadlyThe Red Back Spider is Australia's most well known deadly
spider. They are found all over Australia, and are common inspider. They are found all over Australia, and are common in
urban areas. The Black Widow Spider (found in the USA) isurban areas. The Black Widow Spider (found in the USA) is
a close relative of the Red Back. These spiders are usuallya close relative of the Red Back. These spiders are usually
found under logs, rocks, bricks, sheds and outdoor toilets.found under logs, rocks, bricks, sheds and outdoor toilets.
The Red Back Spider feeds on insects, but can take down smallThe Red Back Spider feeds on insects, but can take down small
lizards and crickets. These spiders are small in size, thelizards and crickets. These spiders are small in size, the
females being about 1cm long and the males about 4mm long.females being about 1cm long and the males about 4mm long.
Amazing Fact:Amazing Fact: Only the female red back spider bite isOnly the female red back spider bite is
dangerous to humans.dangerous to humans.
9. Tiger SnakeTiger Snake
(Notechis(Notechis
scutatus)scutatus)
The common tiger snake is found in southern and easternThe common tiger snake is found in southern and eastern
Australia. They are usually around a metre long, and have aAustralia. They are usually around a metre long, and have a
striped marking (hence the name Tiger Snake). This is notstriped marking (hence the name Tiger Snake). This is not
always the case however, as the markings can change due toalways the case however, as the markings can change due to
the seasons and the age of the snake. They can grow up to 1.5the seasons and the age of the snake. They can grow up to 1.5
metres in length.metres in length.
These are venomous snakes, and will attack if they are disturbedThese are venomous snakes, and will attack if they are disturbed
or threatened. Otherwise, they can live quietly. They are alsoor threatened. Otherwise, they can live quietly. They are also
often territorial, and will live in the same area for years. Theyoften territorial, and will live in the same area for years. They
are also found in suburban areas, even in the newer suburbs.are also found in suburban areas, even in the newer suburbs.
10. OOne elderly women was bitten by a tiger snake while she pruned thene elderly women was bitten by a tiger snake while she pruned the
ivy onivy on herher fence, in Kewfence, in Kew ((an inner suburb of Melbourne, inan inner suburb of Melbourne, in
2003)2003). Death resulted from this bite. However this is quite rare. Death resulted from this bite. However this is quite rare
these days, as anti venene is readily available.these days, as anti venene is readily available.
These snakes feed on all types of creatures, they happily feed on frogs,These snakes feed on all types of creatures, they happily feed on frogs,
fish, small birds and other small mammals. They also eat otherfish, small birds and other small mammals. They also eat other
reptiles such as lizards.reptiles such as lizards.
