1. The Dry Bite
A dry bite occurs when a venomous snake bites without injecting a clinically significant amount of venom.
The bite may leave puncture marks, scratches, or minor skin damage.
Some people experience local discomfort or irritation.
Others may notice almost nothing.
A dry bite does not produce systemic poisoning from snake venom.
However, a person cannot reliably determine whether a bite is dry simply by looking at the wound or judging how they feel.
Symptoms may be delayed, and the initial appearance of a venomous bite can resemble that of a harmless injury.
Even experienced professionals cannot make a reliable assessment based solely on the patient's immediate sensations.
Therefore, every suspected snakebite in Australia should be treated as potentially venomous until medically assessed.
2. The Venomous Bite
A venomous bite involves the injection of venom into the body.
Snake venom contains biologically active substances that can interfere with important physiological processes.
