Uninvited Snake on Norfolk Island March 2024

Last weekend a local Norfolk Island lady was bitten by a snake when unpacking eggs at Foodland Supermarket. The staff member was taken to the Norfolk Island hospital for treatment, and on Sunday, she told me she still had a throbbing finger and a headache.

The snake was small, about 30cm or 1 foot long. It is suggested it may be a yellow headed whipped snake and also first thought to have been a marsh or swamp snake. It is expected this snake was from Queensland, Australia. These snakes are mildly venomous and are commonly encountered in the South East Queensland areas. Please note that the type of snake has not officially been advised to the Norfolk Island community.

Check out these links to see more images of these types of snakes.

yellow-faced whipsnake - Search Images (bing.com)

Yellow-faced Whip Snake - The Australian Museum

The imported eggs had arrived by airfreight, and the snake may have travelled undetected in the box which had the egg cartons. The other possibility was that it arrived on the last cargo shipment from Brisbane, the MV Norfolk last delivered freight just a few weeks ago. There has been the concern that snakes could travel to Norfolk Island on ships, containers or planes. Staff inspection of imported items are vigilant to stop the importation of snakes, frogs, reptiles, insects and any uninvited critters.

I have attended first aid training and snake bites are also part of the information that is taught. The important steps are, call 000 for an Ambulance for medical assistance. First Aid, immobilise the injured person and pressure bandage the area and mark the spot of the bite on the bandage. Then Remember to always keep yourself safe, you do not want to be bitten by the snake as well. I always thought I may need these skills in Australia, but never thought that I may need these first aid skills to assist anyone with a snake bite on Norfolk Island.

I am pleased the local lady is recovering and it was good news that the snake was captured and contained for identification. The thought of more snakes arriving on Norfolk Island is a concern, for locals inspecting or unpacking incoming freight. But also, a concern for the fragile eco systems on Norfolk Island, especially for the birds at live and breed here on a snake free remote island.

It is known some insects and birds arrive in stormy weather to Norfolk Island and the history books recorded almost 200 years ago, by Allan Cunningham, his journal details that in the c1830 a snake arriving on a log by sea from a neighbouring Pacific Island. That snake was killed and preserved in alcohol and documented by the Colonial Secretary.

Asian House Gecko lizards have been a concern as they arrived in approximately 2005 and these have been found to be living in a couple of areas in Norfolk Island.

ASIAN HOUSE GECKO - Hemidactylus frenatus (reptilesofaustralia.com)

Also, the Argentine Ants are now a major concern on Norfolk Island as they intrude on properties as well as the impact on wild life and remote cliff faces which are difficult to control. Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna keep records these types of sightings.

Early in 2019,around Norfolk Island there were many creatures hiding on fences and trees. You may remember seeing many home-made snakes and spiders appearing around the roadside. There were Snakes and Spiders and little bugs with signs saying, “Local Rock”, “Local Jobs”, “Stop the Rock”. This was a protest to stop the importation of rock from Australia for the proposed Norfolk Island Airport upgrade. The concern was that imported rock must be difficult to quarantine and groups of the local community were showing their concern about the suggestion that local rock is not being used, instead the option to bring rock for the Norfolk Island upgrade was being considered. I have included a few photos of the 2019 protest critters with this news article.

When swimming in the lagoon at Kingston, snorkellers will know that Norfolk has a Snake Eel which are not snakes, they belong to the eel family. These eels feed on the lagoon floor, there is the Banded Snake Eel, Spotted Snake Eel, and Convict Snake Eel. Check out this internet link to read more about the Norfolk Island Snake Eels.

Banded, convict and spotted snake eels - know the difference — Norfolk Island's Reef (norfolkislandreef.com.au)

It will be good to have a snake news follow up during the next few weeks, with official reports, confirming the type of snake and outcome of investigations about the steps taken to reduce the risk of more snakes arriving here on Norfolk Island. It will also be a peace of mind to know that anti-venom is available on Norfolk Island, especially for workers unloading freight off the ships and aircrafts and the busy warehouses as they stake products onto shelves at their businesses.

Along with a photo obtained of the snake captured last weekend on 9 March 2024, I have included photos of the yellow headed Whip snake. I have also read about the Yellow Headed Whip Snake and watched videos of Australian snake handlers catching them assisting communities when these snakes are around their homes and properties. They are not very big snakes, and they are very fast moving. I will include an image of the first recorded snake in almost 200 years., plus extracts from Allan Cunningham Diary of the 1830s snake.

Betty Matthews

15 March 2024