What The Duck?!

Why snakes remain deadly even after they're dead


Listen Later

At first, you might think it is a plot from a zombie movie: that undead animals are coming for you.

But it turns out that Australia's animals aren't just dangerous when they're alive — they can be deadly even when they're dead.

Ann Jones is joined by science reporter Belinda Smith to examine why snakes can still bite up to 45 minutes after death and are potentially dangerous for years.

Think we're lying? Belinda found a guy whose great aunt (and her dog) were killed by a decapitated snake!

So if a snake could commit multiple murders from beyond the grave, what other animals are going to get you?

Featuring -  

  • Ray Miller, relative died after being bitten by a dead snake. 
  • Dr Christina Zdenek, Australian Reptile Academy. 
  • Professor Kylie Pitt, Griffith University.  
  • Dr Olaf Meynecke,  Griffith University.  
  • Len Zell, retired marine scientist and author of Australian Wildlife – Roadkill.

Production:

  • Belinda Smith, ABC Science Reporter/Producer. 
  • Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.
  • Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
  • Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.

This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri and Kaurna people.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What The Duck?!By ABC listen

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

24 ratings


More shows like What The Duck?!

View all
The Science Show by ABC listen

The Science Show

125 Listeners

Background Briefing by ABC listen

Background Briefing

72 Listeners

All In The Mind by ABC listen

All In The Mind

760 Listeners

Dr Karl Podcast by triple j

Dr Karl Podcast

207 Listeners

Health Report - Full program podcast by ABC listen

Health Report - Full program podcast

131 Listeners

Conversations by ABC listen

Conversations

862 Listeners

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today by ABC listen

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

66 Listeners

Big Ideas by ABC listen

Big Ideas

106 Listeners

Shirtloads of Science by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Shirtloads of Science

52 Listeners

Science Friction by ABC listen

Science Friction

70 Listeners

ABC Rewind by ABC listen

ABC Rewind

42 Listeners

If You're Listening by ABC listen

If You're Listening

312 Listeners

What's That Rash? by ABC listen

What's That Rash?

239 Listeners

Days Like These by ABC listen

Days Like These

47 Listeners

Quick Smart by ABC listen

Quick Smart

6 Listeners