A woman in her 60s is recovering after sustaining a snake bite on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail near Burringbar, New South Wales, on Wednesday. The cyclist was bitten on the thigh after running over a two-metre-long eastern brown snake that became entangled in her bicycle chain. According to NSW Ambulance, the woman was transported to Tweed Valley Hospital in stable condition and was discharged by Thursday morning.
Did You Know? Eastern brown snakes, often cited as the world’s second most venomous snake, are known for their extreme color variation. Snake catcher Sarah Mailey notes that individuals can appear red, silver, or even jet black, leading to frequent misidentification with harmless species like the keelback or brown tree snake.
Circumstances of the Encounter
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. when the cyclist inadvertently rode over the reptile. Sarah Mailey, the snake catcher tasked with removing the animal, reported that the snake’s lower body became caught in the bike chain while its head remained free. This positioning allowed the snake to strike the rider’s leg during the struggle.
Mailey attributes the rare collision to a combination of environmental and biological factors. The snake was blind in its left eye, likely preventing it from detecting the approaching bicycle, and cooler weather had slowed its typical defensive reflexes. Furthermore, the area is known to attract snakes that seek shelter in burrows beneath the concrete trail.
Expert Insight: Understanding Snake Behavior
Expert Insight: While the encounter resulted in a “dry bite”—where no venom enters the bloodstream—the incident highlights the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions in regional corridors. The fact that an experienced snake catcher reported similar, albeit rare, entanglement incidents suggests that trail users should remain vigilant.
Safety and Identification
Following the incident, Mailey emphasized the importance of caution for those using the rail trail. If a snake is spotted on the path, the recommended protocol is to stop at a distance and allow the animal to move on its own. If the snake remains stationary, riders should dismount and walk a wide path around the animal to avoid triggering a defensive strike.
Police were present at the scene to assist paramedics and ensure public safety during the removal process. The snake was later euthanized due to injuries sustained while entangled in the bicycle mechanism. While eastern brown snakes are a leading cause of fatal snake bites in Australia, fatalities remain rare across all species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “dry bite”?
A dry bite occurs when a snake bites a person but does not inject any venom into the bloodstream.
Why was the snake on the trail?
According to Sarah Mailey, snakes are often attracted to the underside of the concrete path, where they find burrows and rodents.
What should cyclists do if they encounter a snake?
If the snake is visible from afar, stop and wait for it to move off the path. If it does not move, dismount and walk the furthest way around it possible.
How might trail management adjust safety signage or maintenance to better alert riders to local wildlife activity?
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