2.
surface of the skin and causing bleeding from the deep
fang lacerations.
Best if I let Shane tell the story about the first bite in his
own words:
‘It happened in August 2012. Around midday, I was
driving from home Mossman to Cooya Beach
when I saw an adult taipan in the middle of
the road. It was roughly six and a half feet
long. As I slowed down another car came
racing around the corner and almost hit it.
The startled snake took off and went up a
sloping embankment, maybe eight or ten feet
high. Anyway, as I pulled up and bolted after
it, I realised there was a good chance I could
be bitten as I had to climb up the rough
embankment to grab the taipan. It was trying
to get away near the top of the embankment
as I got hold of it by the tail. I had to grab it
and slide down the embankment all in the one
motion. The snake swung around instantly,
with its mouth open, and bit me on the right
side of my stomach/hip as I was sliding down
the embankment. This may sound strange, but
I wasn't overly concerned at first, as I was
just stoked to have the snake in my hands.
This particular snake was an exceptionally
defensive individual and continued to have a
few pot shots at me, so I had to keep a close
eye on it. I took it well away from the road, and after
admiring it for a while, released it. The ungrateful taipan
took off at full speed.
1.
2.
3.
Seven-foot Coastal Taipan in an alert pose.
Skull showing articulations and the lengthy fangs.
Dissected head showing the venom gland, venom duct and
two fangs covered with fang sheath.
Images by Michael Cermak.
3.
‘It was about then I felt the stinging pain on my torso and
looked down to see a large patch of blood on my shirt. I
drove home and weighed up the situation. This next part