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 Australia

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

32 ratings


More shows like What The Duck?!

View all
Big Ideas by ABC Australia

Big Ideas

99 Listeners

Future Tense by ABC Australia

Future Tense

64 Listeners

The Science Show by ABC Australia

The Science Show

121 Listeners

Background Briefing by ABC Australia

Background Briefing

92 Listeners

Late Night Live — Full program podcast by ABC Australia

Late Night Live — Full program podcast

92 Listeners

All In The Mind by ABC Australia

All In The Mind

777 Listeners

Health Report by ABC Australia

Health Report

134 Listeners

Life Matters - Full program podcast by ABC Australia

Life Matters - Full program podcast

73 Listeners

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today by ABC

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

66 Listeners

Shirtloads of Science by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Shirtloads of Science

59 Listeners

If You're Listening by ABC Australia

If You're Listening

346 Listeners

ABC Rewind by ABC Australia

ABC Rewind

38 Listeners

What's That Rash? by ABC Australia

What's That Rash?

235 Listeners

Quick Smart by ABC Australia

Quick Smart

5 Listeners

No One Saw It Coming by ABC Australia

No One Saw It Coming

110 Listeners