Eastern Brown SNAKE BEHAVIOUR EXPLAINED!

This is one of the most important videos we have ever posted and we hope that everyone can learn something from it and share it with your friends.

Eastern Brown Snakes have a reputation within the community as being "aggressive" and we occassionally hear stories about them chasing people etc. Well I am here to completely debunk those two myths. In fact they couldn’t be further from the truth.

What you have to understand is that Eastern Brown Snake (and any snakes for that matter) want absolutely nothing to do with humans whatsoever. In fact they see us as a potential predator and want to keep well clear of us. If however a Brown snake feels threatened, cornered or in danger they will defend themself with their life! This is a form of defence and is NOT them being "aggressive". They will also NOT chase you. The act of "chasing" involves trying to chase and catch something, and often in the animal world the end result will to eat whatever the predator was chasing. A brown snake does not want to catch us, it simply wants to scare us so that we back off and the brown snake can get away. A brown snake will chase a rat as it wants to eat it, however a Brown snake will not chase a human. EVER!

Now I know there are going to be people come on here saying they were chased by a brown snake. Now if those people are reading or watching this video I ask you to actually think about the situation that you were in. Maybe the brown snake was just defending itself because you were to close? Maybe the snake was coming in your direction because it was trying to find shelter which may have been behind you? Maybe the snake was already travelling in that direction and your paths crossed? I can guarantee that as soon as you backed away from the snake the snake wanted nothing to do with you and probably headed off in a different direction...

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments and we will do our best to answer them.

All you need to remember is that when you see a Brown snake, or any snake for that matter, is to back away and keep your distance and respect the snake and they will leave you alone. The moment you attempt to approach, try to catch or kill the snake that’s when you are asking for trouble.

- Stu

[billycaldwell]

This guy is so underrated as far as viewership and following keep up the good work man.

[VBDundee-ujnk]

Farmer and snake owner here, great video stu spot on. I’ve dealt with many eastern browns in my life, and when people mistake them for chasing them, all they are doing is trying to put you on the back foot which then creates enough distance for them to turn the other way and escape. It’s that action that is regularly mistaken as them chasing.

[ren]

As someone who lives on acreage with a borderline snake phobia, this really helps.

[barry]

Thanks an intelligent and knowledgable video. I live on the Central Coast of NSW and in 50 years only found Red Belly blacks and two species of small 'swamp' snakes. I did ID them, just forgotten the names. Re the red bellies we have had many many encounters on my 2700sqm block adjoining several hundred acres of wetland. Only once nearly bitten when our paths crossed and I stood on some part of him. Hell did I jump one footed! He was only about 80cm long but missed my left hand with a strike? as he managed about half a meter vertical straight up. I have some great videos of them hunting for frogs and lizards. I will never harm them as they have their place and are a strikingly beautiful snake. Had a few really big fellas around 1.5m they don't scare me at all as long as they know your there. I lost my precious Sandy, a pure desert dingo to a black snake 2 years ago. She lasted nearly 36 hrs before succumbing, 24hrs before the first antivenin was given finding the bite low on the rear leg. She put up such a brave fight, our last moments together still brings me to tears. Thanks your educational videos are very much needed.

[Margarinethebutterlover]

Great Vid. I have come across many snakes in my time in Australia, while hiking, mountain biking and now with my work property maintenance. So I am always trying to keep up with what is the best behavior around these reptiles. The more education the better.

[c.r.mcleod]

Great video Stu on debunking the myths. When I first moved down to regional Victoria from the N.T., one of the first things I did was learn what snakes are in my area, their behaviours etc. I found out we have the E.B., lowlands copperhead, Tiger snake, Read Belly & Eastern Small Eyed all highly venomous.

Growing up in the N.T. you learn not to mess with any snake. I've had 2 encounters here in VIC. I do photography & often go to National Parks etc, in my photography bag I always carry 2-3 compression bandages (I've been laughed at for doing this), if for any reason I need it, I got it. I was walking on a trail, camera just hanging around my neck, about 2-3 foot in front of me a big E.B, just came out of the bushes onto the path, it stopped & looked at me, I just froze (wasn't gonna upset it). I didn't even reach for my camera as I know E.B 's are very movement orientated. It went on its way I went my way a bit pissed off I missed that photo op, but safety first as it was in my view to close, had it been a few meters ahead I'd likely have taken some shots. I certainly did have an Oh Shit moment 😂 Snakes are My favourite reptile!

It does suprise me how so many people go hiking etc and don't carry even at least 2-3 compression bandages with them just in case, or even know basic snake bite first aid considering how Many venomous Snakes we have in Australia. The best thing is to respect them, leave them be & be prepared,

[garystokes]

A friend with a shack on the River Murray once asked me if there's such a thing as a snake trap, there was an Eastern Brown living in a rockery/garden out the front. I asked, what does it do when it sees him? He replied that it retreats instantly into the rockery, and then you'll hardly see it all weekend. So I asked, what's the problem then? Just leave it alone, and let it deal with the rats and mice before they get into your shack. Call it biological pest control. He decided to let the snake stay. He knows it's there, and it doesn't attack. It sees him, it retreats. Live and let live.

[rickicoughlan]

I love that you bust those myths. I've had similar experiences removing King Brown Snakes. As soon as you get their tail they pull away like a frightened child and as soon as you let them go they bolt back into the bush.

[keithporter]

What a great video. Thanks so much for posting!

[schnupsyjen]

This video is fantastic! I've seen 3 red bellies and 1 brown in the last 2 weeks at work and I'm really starting to be fearful about it. This helps a LOT. Thank You 🙏

[dannyfreemantle]

I had an eastern brown snake come out from under black plastic on the ground, turn around and come straight back at me from 3m away. He lunged up at me and then when I backed away he took off under the house. He had a massive escape opportunity and decided to do a 180 and come at me. No aggression at all on my part. I’d call that chasing me.

[diyfamily]

Its not the one you see that attacks you and yes they do lunge or strike at you when they are cornered. Also when in mating season things get a whole lot different where they defend themselves. They are naturally aggressive as are a lot of wild animals.

[TheNeedySpecial]

Great video! Clear, succinct and perfectly demonstrated. I'll be sharing this with anyone who wants to listen. Thank you!

[AndyM...]

Well done Stu, all valuable education, the public is slowly learning !!!

[sahmed]

what a great explanation! you are doing an amazing work

[Mark-pcbx]

I'm a farmer in North Queensland, horticulture and cattle and taipans, browns, black snakes and death adders all receive 12 gauge lead I have zero tolerance for venomous snakes. Duty of care for my employees, kids our dogs and cattle. I have lost many cattle and a $20000 stud bull and our cat spent 9 lives bringing a brown snake into the house 6 months ago and many near misses with employees particularly death adders as they tend not to move away when unwittingly approached.
Plenty of non venomous snakes, pythons on our farm which we encourage, venomous snakes serve no purpose.

[christiankirkwood]

What an awesome post. The true nature of the Eastern Brown is so well filmed, explained & handled. We live in Tuckombil via Alstonville and East Ballina. At Tuckombil, down on Maguires Ck, we live alongside 3 fiercely territorial Eastern Browns and a Tiger. (No shortage of Red Bellied Black's either, or Carpet, Diamond Pythons, Night Tiger's, etc) We leave them all alone and we all 'know' each other. But. There are areas they inhabit where we must beware of ambush on sight. One Eastern Brown suns itself on our driveway - akin to the Kokoda Track and 4WD only - and it'll not move for anyone or anything, car's or people and is very cantankerous, it'll have a go at the car if we're trespassing or encroaching on a good sun-baking session, LOL!! So too the Tiger. In other area's on our property, this same individual can be encountered and is always more than willing to hold it's ground, yet will remain quiet and stationary provided it isn't suddenly disturbed. The 2 other Brown's, are quite docile in comparison. We can identify them individually at a glance. The Tiger is an aggressive individual whenever & wherever we encounter it, yet it's another territorial matter. We love them, they're fascinating things to observe. We don't ever have any trouble from the Red Bellied, they're as docile & laid back as, plus we're aware of their predatory behaviour with the Eastern Brown's. Thank you SO much for spreading such a positive, respectful and learned approach to encountering these beautiful creatures. Big love from Lottie, Desiree, Gina, their mum and I, here in Tuckombil via Alstonville and East Ballina. MATE!! 🤙

[alanc]

I recently had an interesting moment with a 6 foot brown snake. Listening to people like you helped me. I was on my front veranda, standing in the middle. The veranda is about 8 x 2 metres. A brown snake joined me and went all around the walls of the veranda, at times being within a metre of me. I just stood still and watched him, turning towards his head all the time. I am not his natural prey, I didn't threaten him, and after his little trip around the veranda he just went on his merry way. I told my wife about it and a week later, when she was gardening, the same thing happened to her. Just leave them alone and they are no problem.

[MrPopo-nnkp]

I deal with heaps of red bellies they retreat and are rarely aggressive. Brown are super aggressive and territorial and will chase you.

[moonandantarctica]

Great video thankyou. We have a bit of land in the Adelaide Hills, really enjoying learning their behaviour a bit more, and you're exactly right, if they feel cornered or trapped they'll fight as a threat response (just like us), but given the chance they'll take off into the bush as soon as they can. Really seems most bites happen when blokes are trying to do your job and pick them up or move them - without the knowledge or experience, and they end up getting nipped.