A teenager who was bitten by a brown snake while at home alone has his jeans to thank for saving his life.
Thomas Morgan, 13, had been filling up his dog’s water bowel at his home in Rupanyup, north of Melbourne, on Sunday afternoon when he felt an ‘itch’ on his shin.
Thomas said he knew immediately he had been bitten by a snake and went to call his parents.
Thomas Morgan, 13, who was bitten by a brown snake while at home alone in rural Victoria, has his jeans to thank for saving his life
He was also fortunate enough to have a nurse as a neighbour – who was on hand to treat his wound.
The 13-year-old was taken to Wimmera Base Hospital in nearby Horsham, but tests found he had been left largely unscathed by the snake’s venom.
Doctor Minhindu Jayasuriya told Channel 9 the fact he was wearing jeans had helped deaden the impact of the venom.
He was also fortunate enough to have a nurse as a neighbour – who was on hand to treat his wound (pictured)
Doctor Minhindu Jayasuriya (pictured left) said the fact he was wearing jeans had helped deaden the impact of the brown snake’s venom
He said: ‘We completed a top-to-toe examination … including all his vital organs to ensure there was no envenomation.’
His father, David Morgan, said he was impressed by how his son handled himself throughout the ordeal.
He said: ‘I was really proud – he handled it all extremely well. I thought he’d be anxious about it all.’
The eastern brown snake is often found in backyards and is the second most toxic land snake in the world.
Thomas’ parents have spent the past fortnight teaching their kids what to do if they see a snake or are bitten by one.
The incident comes after snake catchers warned residents across the country to be vigilant this summer as reptiles emerge to get some sunlight after a long mating season.
The eastern brown snake is often found in backyards and is the second most toxic land snake in the world (stock image)
The 13-year-old was taken to the Wimmera Base Hospital (pictured) in nearby Horsham, but tests found he had been left largely unscathed by the brown snake’s venom
Tony Harrison, a snake catcher on Queensland’s Gold Coast, said spring was when reptiles typically went out in search of companions for mating.
Mr Harrison said snakes were most active in summer and most likely to be seen emerging from bushland on hot days.
Earlier this year Aaron Bryant, 46, was killed from a snake bite when he tried to remove a baby eastern brown snake from his Queensland property.