Suburban Snakes

The Telegraph reports that the reptile legions of the Animal Uprising™, having conquered Australia, have decided they want the good life. Accordingly, the snakes are moving into fancy new digs in the suburbs.

Australia's severe drought is driving deadly snakes out of the bush and into towns and cities, with three people dying from bites in the past few weeks.

The snakes are seeking out water in ponds, drains and swimming pools in the suburbs.

George Braitberg, co-director of a toxicology centre in Melbourne, said: "Across Australia we're seeing far more snakebites than we have had for many years."

Since the snakes, particularly the extremely dangerous brown snake, have moved into the 'burbs, we thought we'd provide a link to a snake identification and first aid page from Australia (we actually do have readers from Oz and would prefer they continue to visit). The most important thing to remember is to apply pressure to the wound and to stay still. Send someone else for help.