It took merely minutes for the paralysing symptoms to flood Billy’s body after he was bitten on the wrist by a king brown snake — a formidable outback predator and Australia’s largest venomous snake.

Despite having years of experience in handling, Australian Reptile Park Manager Billy Collett was unprepared for what he was about to endure. The Sydneysider recalled how he was examining the reptile, which was recovering from surgery, at the park when it unexpectedly lashed out, clamping down onto his wrist and chewing.

The seasoned snake handler knew he had to apply first aid to himself and had trained for this exact scenario, but within moments, he started to feel the full effects of the potent venom.

His experience serves as a timely reminder to Aussies as spring sees an increase in snake activity across the country.

Billy is pictured in hospital receiving life-saving care.

Billy Collett needed life-saving care after the terrifying encounter. Source: Supplied/Australian Reptile Park

Snake handler ‘freaked out’ after horror bite

Speaking of the 2016 incident, which he is only now able to open up about, he said it took just “five minutes” before he started to feel symptoms.

“My eyesight was strained, I had a really bad taste in my mouth, I felt extremely nauseous, I was sweating so bad,” he said.

Medical aid was on its way, but he still feared for his life. “I was freaking out, I honestly thought I was going to die,” Billy said.

As doctors administered the antivenom, Billy went into a severe allergic reaction. His body began to swell, and he erupted in hives. The situation was made even more critical by the fact that the snake that bit him had just recently set the world record for the largest venom yield from a single snake.

Billy was all too aware of that fact.

Racing against time, doctors meticulously stabilised him, administering antivenom drop by drop until the venom was fully neutralised. Astonishingly, just a week later, Billy returned to work to confront the very snake that had bitten him.

Almost a decade later, Billy’s chosen to speak out about the incident. He had, up until now, opted to keep quiet. “I’ve stayed quiet for years but am finally ready to tell my story,” Billy said. “People ask me why I still do this, but it’s not a hero thing; the antivenom program just saves so many lives in Australia each year, and I’m so proud of that. I’ll do this as long as I can,” Billy said.

“The bite definitely plays in the back of my mind, and I never ever want to go through that again.”

Billy is pictured holding the head of a long brown snake while a woman holds the tail. Source:

Billy is pictured here with the very snake that bit him. Source: Supplied/Australian Reptile Park

How does antivenom save lives?

Australia is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes, spiders, and marine creatures, and encounters with these animals can quickly become life-threatening.

Thanks to the nation’s antivenom programs, countless lives are saved each year. These programs ensure that hospitals and clinics across the country are stocked with the right antivenoms for a wide variety of species, from taipans and brown snakes to funnel-web spiders and box jellyfish.

The process of developing and maintaining these antivenoms is complex and highly specialised. Venom is collected under strict safety protocols, then used to create antibodies that can neutralise its toxic effects. Once administered to a patient, antivenom can stop the venom from spreading, giving doctors crucial time to stabilise and treat symptoms.

Without these programs, even a single bite from certain species could be fatal.

Billy with a coastal taipan snake, which is also extremely venomous.

Billy holds a large coastal taipan snake, which is also extremely venomous. Source: Supplied/Australian Reptile Park

Billy’s advice in the event of a snake bite

As warmer weather arrives and snake season looms, Billy is urging all Australians to brush up on their first aid skills in case of a snake bite.

  2. Remove any jewellery from the affected limb.

  3. Apply a pressure bandage: wrap firmly around the bite site 3 times, then continue bandaging up the entire limb.

  4. Call 000 immediately and keep as still as possible until help arrives.

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