Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
Oi!
Australia
- Thread starter Akhenaten
- Start date
MG1962
Unregistered
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 17,252
I think the fact that we're the 6th largest country by size and have a load of natural resources may have a bit to do with it, too.
But where you have to be smart is managing your economy to take advantage of those resources. Most countries that rely just on these natural resources struggle to survive the boom and bust of the world markets
Sideroxylon
Featherless biped
I am reading "Into The Unknown" by John Bailey at the moment. It tells the story of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt's upbringing and leisurely education in Europe as well as his Australian expeditions. I am currently enjoying reading about his adventures around the Hunter and up to Morton Bay. A really well told story and lots of interesting insights into his time and how our country was back then.
The ABC blurb:
I will definitely be looking to get hold of the John McDouall Stuart book.
The ABC blurb:
http://shop.abc.net.au/products/into-the-unknown
I will definitely be looking to get hold of the John McDouall Stuart book.
Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
That looks excellent and I've put it in second place on my shopping list. (Shintaro DVDs are at the top)
I'll keep an eye out for Mr Stuart's Track as well, for the sake of comparison with the JMS biography I already have - The Heroic Journey of John McDouall Stuart by Ian Mudie.
Can you order stuff over there from the ABC Shop? I very rarely buy online from the ABC Shop because I can't resist going to the real shop and having a browse. Same thing with the Australian Geographic Shop.
Thanks for the heads-up and the review.
I'll keep an eye out for Mr Stuart's Track as well, for the sake of comparison with the JMS biography I already have - The Heroic Journey of John McDouall Stuart by Ian Mudie.
Can you order stuff over there from the ABC Shop? I very rarely buy online from the ABC Shop because I can't resist going to the real shop and having a browse. Same thing with the Australian Geographic Shop.
Thanks for the heads-up and the review.
arthwollipot
Limerick Purist Pronouns: He/Him
I named a cat Ludwig once, because he was first out of the basket as a kitten.
He was a pure white longhair. Very friendly. Lived about nine years.
He was a pure white longhair. Very friendly. Lived about nine years.
Sideroxylon
Featherless biped
That looks excellent and I've put it in second place on my shopping list. (Shintaro DVDs are at the top)
I'll keep an eye out for Mr Stuart's Track as well, for the sake of comparison with the JMS biography I already have - The Heroic Journey of John McDouall Stuart by Ian Mudie.
Can you order stuff over there from the ABC Shop? I very rarely buy online from the ABC Shop because I can't resist going to the real shop and having a browse. Same thing with the Australian Geographic Shop.
Thanks for the heads-up and the review.
I haven't placed an order with the ABC from here but from the looks of their FAQ page they will ship overseas. They do say they may require some additional information for these kinds of orders though.
My folks have a great taste in these kinds of things and keep me supplied.
Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
Introduction
The taipan belongs to a genus of large, fast and highly venomous Australasian snakes of the elapid family. Other members of the family include cobras, kraits, mambas, death adders and sea snakes. All the really fun brands.
The name ‘Taipan’ is the name given to one member of the genus by the Wik-mungkan people of Cape York. It was introduced into general use by the anthropologist Dr Donald Thomson, the first man to capture and milk a live taipan.
So far, four species/sub-species of the taipan have been identified. They are:
The name ‘Taipan’ is the name given to one member of the genus by the Wik-mungkan people of Cape York. It was introduced into general use by the anthropologist Dr Donald Thomson, the first man to capture and milk a live taipan.
So far, four species/sub-species of the taipan have been identified. They are:
- the coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus),
- the Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni),
- the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), and
- the Central Ranges taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis).
Distribution
The coastal taipan ranges in an arc along the east coast from northeastern New South Wales through Queensland and across the northern parts of the Northern Territory to northern Western Australia.
The inland taipan ranges from the southeast part of the Northern Territory into western Queensland. The snake can also be found north of Lake Eyre and to the west of the split of the Murray River, Darling River, and Murrumbidgee River.
The inland taipan ranges from the southeast part of the Northern Territory into western Queensland. The snake can also be found north of Lake Eyre and to the west of the split of the Murray River, Darling River, and Murrumbidgee River.
Since taipans don't read maps all that well they sometimes appear outside the marked areas. Tread warily!
Description
The coastal taipan possesses the third most toxic land snake venom known and many human deaths have resulted from bites by this species.
It's a medium to large snake, with a robust build and a deep, rectangular-shaped head distinct from the slender neck. Body colour may be yellowish, reddish brown, dark brown or almost black. The species undergoes a seasonal change in colour, with individuals becoming darker in winter and fading in summer. The head is noticeably paler than the body, particularly in juveniles (the head will darken with age however the snout always remains pale). Dorsal scales may be slightly keeled, at least on the neck, otherwise smooth. The ventral surface is yellowish to cream with scattered orange blotches. Eyes are large, with an intense orange-brown iris and round pupil.
It's a medium to large snake, with a robust build and a deep, rectangular-shaped head distinct from the slender neck. Body colour may be yellowish, reddish brown, dark brown or almost black. The species undergoes a seasonal change in colour, with individuals becoming darker in winter and fading in summer. The head is noticeably paler than the body, particularly in juveniles (the head will darken with age however the snout always remains pale). Dorsal scales may be slightly keeled, at least on the neck, otherwise smooth. The ventral surface is yellowish to cream with scattered orange blotches. Eyes are large, with an intense orange-brown iris and round pupil.
Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Average full-grown length is around 2 metres (6½ feet), with males growing slightly larger than females. Individuals have been reported to grow to over 3 metres, however the largest wild-caught museum specimen reliably measured was a male with a snout-vent length of 2260mm. A huge captive bred Taipan donated to the Queensland Museum had a snout-vent length of 2425mm and a total length of 2900mm.
The inland taipan has the most toxic venom of any terrestrial snake species in the world.
Colour varies from a rich, dark tan to a brownish olive-green, depending on season. Its back, sides and tail may be different shades of brown and grey, with many scales having a wide blackish edge. These dark-marked scales occur in diagonal rows so that the marks align to form broken chevrons of variable length that are inclined backward and downward. The lowermost lateral scales often have an anterior yellow edge. The dorsal scales are smooth and without keels. The round-snouted head and neck are usually noticeably darker than the body (glossy black in winter, dark brown in summer), the darker colour allowing the snake to heat itself while only exposing a smaller portion of the body at the burrow entrance. The eye is of average size with a blackish brown iris and without a noticeable coloured rim around the pupil.
The inland taipan has the most toxic venom of any terrestrial snake species in the world.
Colour varies from a rich, dark tan to a brownish olive-green, depending on season. Its back, sides and tail may be different shades of brown and grey, with many scales having a wide blackish edge. These dark-marked scales occur in diagonal rows so that the marks align to form broken chevrons of variable length that are inclined backward and downward. The lowermost lateral scales often have an anterior yellow edge. The dorsal scales are smooth and without keels. The round-snouted head and neck are usually noticeably darker than the body (glossy black in winter, dark brown in summer), the darker colour allowing the snake to heat itself while only exposing a smaller portion of the body at the burrow entrance. The eye is of average size with a blackish brown iris and without a noticeable coloured rim around the pupil.
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
The inland taipan averages approximately 1.8 metres (6 feet) in length, although larger specimens can reach lengths of 2.5 metres (8½ feet).
It is also known as the Small Scaled Snake and the Fierce Snake, although the latter is something of a misnomer since they are actually quite timid. It is this timidity, as well as the remoteness of their habitat, which results in them having achieved a far lower body count than their somewhat more aggressive coastal cousins.
It is also known as the Small Scaled Snake and the Fierce Snake, although the latter is something of a misnomer since they are actually quite timid. It is this timidity, as well as the remoteness of their habitat, which results in them having achieved a far lower body count than their somewhat more aggressive coastal cousins.
Habitat
The coastal taipan is found in warm temperate to tropical coastal regions, in monsoon forest, wet and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, and in natural and artificial grassy areas including grazing paddocks, disused rubbish tips, cane fields and (mwahahahaha!) back yards where there is often an abundance of rats and mice. Thickets of introduced lantana are also favoured habitat.
The coastal taipan shelters in abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs and piles of vegetation like that big mess of branches from last year's pruning that you've been meaning to get rid of.
The inland taipan lives here:
The coastal taipan shelters in abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs and piles of vegetation like that big mess of branches from last year's pruning that you've been meaning to get rid of.
The inland taipan lives here:
What's for lunch, Mum?
In the wild, taipans are known to feed only on warm-blooded prey such as mice, rats, bandicoots, tourists* and birds. Young taipans, in captivity at least, will also eat skinks. When hunting, the taipan appears to actively scan for prey using its well-developed eyesight, and is often seen travelling with its head raised above ground level. Once prey is detected the snake ‘freezes’ before hurling itself forward and issuing, in the case of the coastal taipan, one to several lightning-fast bites or in the case of the inland variety, a single, well-aimed bite.
The prey is then released and allowed to stagger away, a strategy which minimizes the snake’s chance of being harmed in retaliation, particularly by rats which can inflict lethal damage with their long incisors. After a few moments the Taipan tracks down the dying animal by following the scent trail with its flickering tongue.
* only the really little ones
The prey is then released and allowed to stagger away, a strategy which minimizes the snake’s chance of being harmed in retaliation, particularly by rats which can inflict lethal damage with their long incisors. After a few moments the Taipan tracks down the dying animal by following the scent trail with its flickering tongue.
* only the really little ones
You probably don't really want to be looking at a taipan from this angle
Breeding
Mating in captive coastal taipans and where observed in the wild appears to peak in late winter/early spring (although they can be encouraged to breed almost all year round).
Behaviour presumed to be male combat has been reported in wild taipans, involving two males entwining their bodies and ‘wrestling’ to push down the other’s head and neck. How a ‘winner’ is determined remains unclear, however by defeating and driving away competitors the successful male presumably gains greater access to any receptive females in the area.
Courtship observed in captive coastal taipans appears to follow the basic pattern seen in many other snake species. Upon encountering a receptive female the male becomes highly excited and moves up and along the body of the female, continually tongue-flicking and rubbing his chin against her.
Taipans are oviparous and two to three months after mating the female will lay between 3 and 21 soft-shelled eggs (average of 11), usually in a log hollow, under tree roots or in cavities in the ground. In captivity females often produce a second clutch many weeks after the initial mating – this suggests the female may be able to store sperm for several months.
Depending on the incubation temperature the eggs hatch between two and three months after being laid. The emerging young measure around 46 centimetres (18 inches) and are fully equipped with all the bitey bits and are ready to rock and roll. Taipans hatched in captivity grow incredibly fast, and can reach to over a metre in their first year. Growth rates for wild Taipans are not known, however the lack of small specimens in museum collections may suggest that the species grows rapidly under natural conditions as well.
Behaviour presumed to be male combat has been reported in wild taipans, involving two males entwining their bodies and ‘wrestling’ to push down the other’s head and neck. How a ‘winner’ is determined remains unclear, however by defeating and driving away competitors the successful male presumably gains greater access to any receptive females in the area.
Courtship observed in captive coastal taipans appears to follow the basic pattern seen in many other snake species. Upon encountering a receptive female the male becomes highly excited and moves up and along the body of the female, continually tongue-flicking and rubbing his chin against her.
Taipans are oviparous and two to three months after mating the female will lay between 3 and 21 soft-shelled eggs (average of 11), usually in a log hollow, under tree roots or in cavities in the ground. In captivity females often produce a second clutch many weeks after the initial mating – this suggests the female may be able to store sperm for several months.
Depending on the incubation temperature the eggs hatch between two and three months after being laid. The emerging young measure around 46 centimetres (18 inches) and are fully equipped with all the bitey bits and are ready to rock and roll. Taipans hatched in captivity grow incredibly fast, and can reach to over a metre in their first year. Growth rates for wild Taipans are not known, however the lack of small specimens in museum collections may suggest that the species grows rapidly under natural conditions as well.
Oh hai. Are you food?
Danger to humans
The coastal taipan is often regarded as the most dangerous snake in Australia, despite having less toxic venom than its inland mates. This is partly due to it's more aggressive nature and partly due to it's range being closer to where folks live.
Both species are extremely nervous and alert snakes and although, like any snake, they prefer to avoid conflict and will quietly slip away if given the chance, if surprised or cornered they will ferociously defend themselves.
When threatened, the taipan adopts a loose striking posture with its head and forebody raised. It inflates and compresses its body laterally and may also spread the back of its jaws to give the head a broader, lance-shaped appearance. Invariably the snake will strike, often without any warning, inflicting multiple snapping bites (in the case of the coastal taipan) or a single bite (in the case of the inland taipan) with extreme accuracy and efficiency.
The muscular lightweight body of the taipan allows it to hurl itself forwards or sideways and reach high off the ground, and such is the speed of the attack that a person may be bitten several times before even realising that the snake is there. Sucks to be you, human.
The fangs are the longest of any Australian elapid snake, being up to 12mm (½ inch) long, and are able to be brought forward slightly prior to striking.
When the coastal taipan strikes it injects a large amount of highly toxic venom deep into the flesh, and studies have shown they are capable of injecting the same amount in a second or third bite.
The venom affects the nervous system and the blood’s ability to clot, and victims may experience headache, nausea/vomiting, collapse, convulsions (especially in children), paralysis, internal bleeding, myolysis (destruction of muscle tissue), kidney damage and deadness. The onset of serious symptoms is often rapid, so anyone suspected of receiving a bite must seek medical attention immediately, no matter how trivial the bite may appear.
Prior to the introduction of specific antivenom by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in 1956, a Taipan bite was nearly always fatal and needless to say, if an inland taipan bites you somewhere out near Cameron Corner you're more-or-less snookered.
Both species are extremely nervous and alert snakes and although, like any snake, they prefer to avoid conflict and will quietly slip away if given the chance, if surprised or cornered they will ferociously defend themselves.
When threatened, the taipan adopts a loose striking posture with its head and forebody raised. It inflates and compresses its body laterally and may also spread the back of its jaws to give the head a broader, lance-shaped appearance. Invariably the snake will strike, often without any warning, inflicting multiple snapping bites (in the case of the coastal taipan) or a single bite (in the case of the inland taipan) with extreme accuracy and efficiency.
The muscular lightweight body of the taipan allows it to hurl itself forwards or sideways and reach high off the ground, and such is the speed of the attack that a person may be bitten several times before even realising that the snake is there. Sucks to be you, human.
The fangs are the longest of any Australian elapid snake, being up to 12mm (½ inch) long, and are able to be brought forward slightly prior to striking.
When the coastal taipan strikes it injects a large amount of highly toxic venom deep into the flesh, and studies have shown they are capable of injecting the same amount in a second or third bite.
The venom affects the nervous system and the blood’s ability to clot, and victims may experience headache, nausea/vomiting, collapse, convulsions (especially in children), paralysis, internal bleeding, myolysis (destruction of muscle tissue), kidney damage and deadness. The onset of serious symptoms is often rapid, so anyone suspected of receiving a bite must seek medical attention immediately, no matter how trivial the bite may appear.
Prior to the introduction of specific antivenom by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in 1956, a Taipan bite was nearly always fatal and needless to say, if an inland taipan bites you somewhere out near Cameron Corner you're more-or-less snookered.
More reading?
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Sideroxylon
Featherless biped
Great read. Snakes are fascinating beasties. I didn't know the Taipan was a Top End snake.
Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
The only time I can remember them being a problem was once when we were playing soldiers down at Batchelor and a couple turned up. I was always moderately terrified of them in FNQ though.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I might do Blue-ringed Octopusses next. They're pretty cool.
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Sideroxylon
Featherless biped
I lived in Batchelor way back in the early '70s. Don't remember seeing any Joe Blakes but the wallabies used to steal our toast if we were not careful walking around with brekkie in the back garden.
Just after the cyclone we lived across the road from the rocky Nightcliff foreshore, which was my playground for a couple of years. We used to find all kinds of interesting things in the rock pools, including the odd blue ring. Of course we had to give them a prod with a stick to see them flare up.
arthwollipot
Limerick Purist Pronouns: He/Him
Oooh, oooh, can you do the Irukanji? They're awesome.
That would be certain to have forumites crossing out Australia on their visit list.
Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
Yeah, I'm thinking. "How about a post devoted to things in Australia that live in the water and will kill you?"
Shouldn't run to more than about 15 pages.
Damien Evans
Up The Irons
Is this the greatest individual sporting performance by an Australian ever?
arthwollipot
Limerick Purist Pronouns: He/Him
MG1962
Unregistered
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 17,252
They are both amazing moments in Australian sport. Perkins capped an amazing career with that win, digging deep into a place few of us have ever needed to go.
Yes Bradbury was lucky, he was clearly outclassed in that race, but he was there and he had a go. And what if he had come last - well that just means he is 5th best sportsman in that even in the entire world - I'd love say I made an Olympic final
Yes Bradbury was lucky, he was clearly outclassed in that race, but he was there and he had a go. And what if he had come last - well that just means he is 5th best sportsman in that even in the entire world - I'd love say I made an Olympic final
philkensebben
Illuminator
Yeah, I'm thinking. "How about a post devoted to things in Australia that live in the water and will kill you?"
Shouldn't run to more than about 15 pages.
[qimg]http://www.yvonneclaireadams.com/HostedStuff/DangerousWater.jpg[/qimg]
Ooo I'm an expert on this subject. I've been bitten by a white tail spider, had a bluebottle wash up the inside of my shorts, bitten on the finger by one Australias nastiest and largest ants and come within a centimetre of stepping on a red bellied snake, whilst stupidly walking barefoot in the rainforest near Airlie Beach
Sideroxylon
Featherless biped
That is the first thing to come to mind before opening the clips. Loved watching it again.
Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
Ooo I'm an expert on this subject. I've been bitten by a white tail spider, had a bluebottle wash up the inside of my shorts, bitten on the finger by one Australias nastiest and largest ants and come within a centimetre of stepping on a red bellied snake, whilst stupidly walking barefoot in the rainforest near Airlie Beach
My goodness, that was a big day out.
