Australia faces snake menace as drought bites

CANBERRA, Jan 22 (Reuters) Australians are facing an increasing snake menace as searing weather bites and the country's worst drought in a generation rolls on.

A 16-year-old boy died in Sydney a week ago after being bitten by an Eastern Brown snake -- one of the world's deadliest -- while in Darwin another brown snake killed a man in his suburban garden.

''As areas are drying up and snakes are having to travel more for water, they are being driven into urban areas,'' Australian Reptile Park General Manager Mary Rayner told Reuters today.

''Snakes do drink water and we are seeing a lot more brown snakes than we are other snakes, because they really like the open and cleared land in towns,'' Rayner said.

''The problem is they are also more defensive, so they will actually stand their ground and do multiple bites rather than slither away, like Tiger Snakes and Red Belly Blacks.'' Australia has some of the world's deadliest snakes, with at least 12 capable of killing humans among 100 venomous varieties. Several are more venomous than cobras, but unlike brown snakes are shy and will retreat if faced by humans.

Opening the door last week on his farmhouse north of Australia's capital Canberra, John Taylor was met on the mat inside by a six-foot brown snake.

''I just bolted. When I looked back in a few minutes later the snake had gone, which was good, but it was dark and now I don't know where it is,'' he said.

A 59-year-old man was bitten on the knee today north of the city as he walked close by his home and a 60-year-old man was bitten on the wrist at a seaside town in Victoria state.

Between 500 and 3000 snake bites occur each year, mostly inflicted by brown snakes.

Rayner said Australians needed to remember that warm weather increased the body metabolism of the snakes, making them both faster and hungrier.

''They just need to remember they are just looking for food and water, mostly just passing through,'' she said.

Reuters BDP DB1118