Australia Dangerous Wildlife Safety — State-by-State Wildlife Map, Snake & Spider Bite First Aid, Magpie & Tick Response
See the dangerous wildlife you may encounter in Australia — snakes, spiders, marine life, crocodiles, large birds and more — on a state-by-state map, with bite and sting first aid, magpie swooping and tick removal set out according to official guidance. Select a state on the map below to check that state's dangerous wildlife.
Australian wildlife — what to watch out for
Australia has land wildlife such as snakes, spiders, and ticks, but most do not attack people first, and bite incidents are rare. What matters is calm prevention and correct first aid. In particular, for bites and stings there is a safety-first principle where you don't need to be certain of the species — if you suspect it is serious, do the safe treatment first (pressure immobilisation + 000) and leave identifying the species to the hospital. This guide covers snake and spider bites, magpie swooping, and tick removal, focused on humans.
What this guide covers
This guide covers only human-focused land wildlife emergency responses. For basic first aid sequences such as how to call 000, DRSABCD, and CPR, see the emergency guide, and for marine creature risks while in the water, such as jellyfish, sharks, and crocodiles, see the beach safety guide. Animal-focused risks such as paralysis ticks and toad toxicity in pets are covered in the pets guide, and it is worth reading this alongside the UV safety guide for UV and outdoor activity safety.
State-by-State Dangerous Wildlife Map
Select a state on the map below to see the dangerous or noteworthy wildlife recorded in that state. It covers not only snakes and spiders but also marine life, crocodiles and large birds. AUWith does not judge whether a state is 'safe' or 'dangerous'; tapping a species name links you to an official government or museum page. Always confirm the actual risks and how to respond from official guidance and on-site signage.
This map only shows representative dangerous or noteworthy species whose presence has been recorded in each state; it does not judge whether any particular place is safe. Not being on the list does not mean somewhere is safe, and the map does not include every species found in Australia. Check each state government's guidance before heading outdoors.
In an emergency call 000 (or 112 if that won't connect) · Poisons Information 13 11 26. If you are bitten or stung, don't try to identify the species — get help immediately. Every snake bite is treated as an emergency.
Click a state on the map or choose one from the buttons above, and the dangerous wildlife recorded in that state will appear here.
When bitten by a snake — the pressure immobilisation technique
The standard first aid for a snake bite is the pressure immobilisation technique. Because venom spreads mainly through the lymphatic system, firmly wrapping and immobilising the bitten limb so it doesn't move can slow the spread of venom. The key is keeping the patient as still as possible, and you call 000 immediately at the same time as treating.
The steps of pressure immobilisation
The bandage should be broad enough to cover the whole limb and applied firmly, as if wrapping a sprained ankle, but wrapped so you can still check the colour of the fingertips and toes. For the exact bandaging sequence and detailed method, check the official guidance from the Australian Resuscitation Council (resus.org.au) and healthdirect.
- First wrap a broad elastic bandage over the bite site, then, starting from the fingertips or toes, wrap firmly (not so tight that it completely stops blood flow) up towards the top of the limb.
- Apply a splint to immobilise the limb so the joints cannot move.
- Lay the patient down and keep them as still as possible, and call 000 immediately to ask for help.
Absolute don'ts: Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom by mouth. Do not tie it tightly with a tourniquet, and do not wash the bite site (the venom traces on the skin are used at the hospital to identify the venom). Do not try to catch or chase the snake — it only increases the risk of further bites.
When bitten by a spider — treatment differs by type
For spiders, treatment differs completely depending on the type. Funnel-web types (large black spiders) can be serious, so apply the same pressure immobilisation technique as for a snake, but for a redback, which has a red stripe on its back, do not apply pressure immobilisation — relieve the pain with a cold pack instead. Knowing this difference by type can save a life, and if you're not sure, choose the safer option.
- Funnel-web type (large black spider): Apply the pressure immobilisation technique the same as for a snake and call 000 immediately.
- Redback (red stripe on the back): Do not use pressure immobilisation. Relieve the pain with a cold pack (ice pack), and if it is severe, get advice on 13 11 26 or seek medical care.
- When you don't know the type: If it is a large black spider and you suspect it is serious, safely apply pressure immobilisation + 000; if it's ambiguous, get advice on 13 11 26.
Do not get bitten again trying to catch the spider. If you are a child, pregnant woman, or older person, or if symptoms are worsening rapidly, seek medical care immediately regardless of the type.
Treatment summary by bite and sting type
A quick comparison of treatment by bite and sting type. Because treatments differ, if you're not sure of the type, always choose the safer option (pressure immobilisation + 000) and get advice on 13 11 26.
Wrap the limb with pressure immobilisation and immobilise it with a splint, keep the patient calm, and call 000 immediately. Washing, cutting, sucking, and tourniquets are prohibited.
A large black spider that can be serious. Apply the pressure immobilisation technique the same as for a snake and call 000 immediately.
Do not apply pressure immobilisation. Relieve the pain with a cold pack, and if it is severe, get advice on 13 11 26 or seek medical care.
Freeze don't squeeze — freeze it with an ether-based spray to remove it, and do not squeeze it out. There is a risk of an allergic reaction.
How to act during magpie swooping season
Magpie swooping is behaviour in which, roughly during the spring breeding season (around September to November), males try to protect their nests, and the timing varies by area and year. Most is a warning, but there is a risk of injury to the eyes and head, so prevention matters. The swooping reporting system varies by state, so check the guidance from your state authorities and local council.
- Use a detour route around known swooping zones, and avoid those zones as much as possible during the breeding season.
- Protect your head and eyes with a hat, helmet, or sunglasses.
- Get off your bike and walk it — fast movement provokes magpies more.
- Walk calmly while watching the magpie (looking back at it) — people who keep watch tend to be attacked less.
- Do not provoke or threaten the nest. Report zones with severe attacks to your state authorities and local council (the reporting system varies by state).
Common mistakes and absolute don'ts
Incorrect treatment can make the situation more dangerous. Below are common mistakes and absolute don'ts to avoid in particular.
- Washing, cutting, or sucking a snake bite site by mouth — there is a risk of infection and venom spread, and it also interferes with the hospital's identification of the venom.
- Tying tightly with a tourniquet — there is a risk of tissue damage, and it is a different method from pressure immobilisation.
- Approaching a snake or spider to catch it or take a photo — it only invites further bites. The hospital identifies the species.
- Squeezing or scraping a tick out with fingernails or tweezers — it increases the risk of allergy such as mammalian meat allergy. Remove it by freezing.
- Confusing treatment by type, such as applying pressure immobilisation to a redback or only a cold pack to a funnel-web — if you're not sure, choose the safer option and get advice on 13 11 26.
Useful official links
- healthdirect — 물림·쏘임 응급처치(opens in a new window)
Official Australian health information on first aid for snake and spider bites and stings (healthdirect).
- Australian Resuscitation Council(opens in a new window)
The Australian Resuscitation Council, which provides official guidance on first aid and resuscitation, including pressure immobilisation.
- NSW Health (거주 주 보건부 예시)(opens in a new window)
Your state health department's guidance on bites, stings, and wildlife safety (e.g. NSW Health) — it varies by state, so check your own state.
- NSW Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26)(opens in a new window)
The Poisons Information Centre, which provides 24-hour advice on bites, stings, and poisoning (national number 13 11 26).
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (주 야생동물 당국 예시)(opens in a new window)
Your state wildlife authority, which provides guidance on snakes and wildlife and information on licensed catchers (e.g. NSW NPWS) — check the authority in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was bitten by a snake but I don't know what kind it was. What do I do?▾
Yes, it's fine even if you're not sure of the species. Following the safety-first principle, if you suspect a snake bite, apply the pressure immobilisation technique straight away and call 000 immediately. Do not try to catch, chase, or approach the snake to take a photo — the hospital identifies the species through testing. Even if it seems ambiguous or mild, you can get advice on 13 11 26.
In which cases is the pressure immobilisation technique used?▾
Pressure immobilisation is a treatment that slows the spread of venom through the lymphatic system, and it is applied for things like snake bites and funnel-web type large black spiders. By contrast, it is not applied for redback spiders. For exactly when and how to apply it, check the official guidance from the Australian Resuscitation Council (resus.org.au) and healthdirect.
What do I do if a redback spider bites me?▾
You do not use pressure immobilisation for a redback spider. It is rarely life-threatening, but it can be very painful, so use a cold pack (ice pack) to relieve the pain. If symptoms are severe, or for a child, pregnant woman, or older person, get advice on 13 11 26 or seek medical care.
When is magpie swooping season?▾
Magpie swooping is behaviour in which, roughly during the spring breeding season (around September to November), males try to protect their nests, and the timing varies by area and year. Detour around known swooping zones, protect your head and eyes with a hat and sunglasses, and get off your bike and walk it to stay safe. For accurate timing and zone information, check the guidance from your state authorities and local council.
If I find a tick on my body, should I remove it right away?▾
Do not squeeze it or rush to pull it out with your fingernails or tweezers. Irritating it can inject more of the tick's saliva, which can increase the risk of an allergic reaction such as mammalian meat allergy. The recommended principle is freeze don't squeeze — freeze it with an ether-based spray to kill it in place, then let it come away naturally. If you have a history of allergy or a reaction appears, consult a medical professional immediately.
When do I call 13 11 26?▾
13 11 26 (Poisons Information Centre) is the official advice line operating 24 hours across Australia, where you can get guidance on how to treat bites, stings, and poisoning. However, for a life-threatening emergency such as reduced consciousness or difficulty breathing, you must call 000 immediately, not 13 11 26.
Is it OK to wash the bite site or apply ice?▾
Do not wash a snake bite site — the venom traces left on the skin can be used at the hospital to identify the venom. Treat snakes and funnel-web spiders with pressure immobilisation, and relieve pain with a cold pack for a redback and similar. In other words, treatment differs by species, so if you're not sure, choose the safer option (pressure immobilisation + 000) and get advice on 13 11 26.