All language subtitles for B.W.S09E04.Deadly.Snake.Bite.Hognose.Snake.Will.it.Bite.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DD2.0.H.264-playWEB_track3_[eng]

I'm on Australia's
Sunshine Coast,

and I'll be interviewing
Liila, a woman who

knows firsthand the
dangers of interacting

with a venomous snake.

She's a bite victim survivor
who nearly lost her life,

and today she's going to be
sharing her incredible story.

Now, what Liila doesn't
know is that we're also

going to be getting
her face to face

with a deadly snake whose
venom, believe it or not,

ultimately saved her life.

For you, this all
began in 1974, the day

it all happened, when you were
bitten by a venomous snake.

Can you take us back to
that morning when you

were heading out to the barn?

You had farm
animals, and you were

barefoot, like a lot
of people in Australia

walk around barefoot.

And you found yourself in
the worst case scenario.

Take us to that morning
and tell us the story.

Well, it happened
in the afternoon,

late afternoon, almost on dark.

And I had a goat,
and I was putting

the goat under the house.

I mean, what goat wouldn't
want to live underneath a house?

So, yeah, I was happily
putting her under the house.

I had a baby and a
two-year-old inside.

And I felt this--

like a pins and
needles feeling, like

pins and needles in my foot.

And so I went inside,
and I thought straight

away that I definitely had been
bitten by a snake or a spider.

I wasn't sure what.

The poison immediately went
straight up to my head.

Really?

So I got a migraine headache.

I've never had a migraine
headache in my life.

So I had this migraine
headache, and straight away I

started to vomit.

So I got the bucket,
and I'm leaning

over the bucket, vomiting and
thinking, oh, God, I need help.

I need help.

So I put my baby
and my two-year-old

and myself in the
car with the bucket

so I could keep vomiting in the
bucket and go to the neighbors.

And then the neighbor
takes me straight

to the Southport Hospital.

And at the Southport
Hospital, the doctor

thought I was-- reckoned I was
a hippie and I was on drugs

and I didn't know what
I was talking about.

That's an unfair judgment.

Very unfair-- and gave me a
blood test and left me all night

with no antivenin, no nothing.

And I was yelling out for help
because I was getting feverish.

And I knew they weren't
doing anything for me,

and I was screaming
out for help.

I want my acupuncturist
to come to the hospital.

An acupuncturist in the '70s?

Yeah.

And the acupuncturist actually
made it up to the hospital.

He heard somehow
on the grapevine.

Certainly
no text messages back then.

No, no mobile
phones back then.

He came up to the
hospital and he

felt-- because acupuncturists,
they go on your pulse.

Everything's on your pulse.

He felt my pulse, and he felt
every muscle fighting the venom.

Wow.

And the next morning,
I had fallen into a coma

and every muscle had collapsed,
and I couldn't breathe.

And so they found the
venom in my blood test.

And then they gave me the
antivenin, but it wasn't--

I couldn't breathe
at this stage.

So they had to put
me into an ambulance

and race me to intensive
care in Brisbane,

which was about 100 kilometers.

And so I was on oxygen
in the ambulance.

Just as they got
to the hospital,

they ran out of oxygen. I died.

They raced me up--

Hold on, you died.

I died.

My heart stopped beating.

They raced me up to intensive
care, and they got me going.

They got me breathing.

How did they
get you breathing?

Did they have to put a
tube down into your lungs?

They had to put tubes all
over me and in my mouth.

And they leave the tubes in
your mouth for five days.

And after five days, they
have to do tracheotomy

because it can get infected.

So they had to do a tracheotomy
where they open up your throat

and they put a machine
into your throat, a tube.

And the machine is actually
breathing for you because you

cannot breathe on your own.

So a lot of the
snakes in Australia

have a neurotoxic venom
which ultimately can cause

your internal system
to go into a state

of paralysis and collapse.

And it sounds like that's
exactly what happened to you.

Yeah, and I had big
hematomas in my groins,

which are big, black bruises.

Hematomas are internal bleeding.

So I had internal bleeding.

And I was in the
coma for six days.

Wow.

And then after that, I
regained my consciousness.

So the moment that you
came back-- let's call this

day seven into your ordeal--

do you remember waking
up out of this coma?

I do.

I do.

And I remember thinking to
myself, this is a dream.

Really?

I'm having a dream.

This can't be real.

This can't be real.

So once you'd woken
up out of the coma,

were you just kind of like a
cucumber there in your bed?

At that point, your muscles
had gained no control back.

I had no strength.

I had no strength.

They sat me up, and I
just fell back down again.

I had no strength at all.

You
must have been so scared.

It was a slow process of
my muscles building back up.

So you're in the coma.

You come out of it.

And I imagine your first
question to the doctors

would be, do we know what
kind of snake bit me?

Do you know at this point
which species it was?

I don't know if I
knew at that point.

But David Fleay
from fauna and flora

reserve in Burleigh Heads, who
had it for many, many years

on the Gold Coast, he
was an expert on snakes.

And he diagnosed the snake
as a rough-scaled snake.

Ooh, yeah, no,
rough-scaled snake--

I mean, that aligns
with the symptoms

that you had from the venom.

And here's the thing about
a rough-scaled snake--

very unassuming looking snake,
small heads, small mouth.

So I could see if you got a bite
from that snake-- fast striking

and very, very small fangs,
but very potent venom.

So, Liila, after you
get out of the hospital

and you're back home,
between 1974 and now,

do you have any
long-lasting symptoms?

Yes.
You do?

Yes.

I don't have any reserves.

So if I go downhill, I
can't pull on any reserves.

I've just got to go to
bed and go to sleep.

In fact, I've got to lay down
at lunchtime every single day.

And I've got to recuperate
because my nervous system is

damaged from the snake venom.

The snake venom affects
your central nervous system.

And that's one
thing is permanently

damaged from the snake
bite is my nervous system.

Got you.

OK, so a lot of people out
there have a fear of snakes.

It's called ophidiophobia.

So I have to ask you, previously
or now or after this experience,

were you afraid of snakes?

Or are you now afraid
of snakes given

that one nearly took your life?

I'm not afraid of snakes,
no, because I love animals.

I love animals.

And I just happened to be in the
wrong place at the wrong time.

And I respect snakes.

I respect all animals.

I mean, that's a
fantastic message.

I think a lot of people would
assume if somebody was bitten

by a snake and it nearly killed
them, that like-- snakes, this

is why I don't like them.

But you're right.

I mean, snakes are doing an
amazing thing for the planet.

They are the control for all of
the species that we as humans

usually try to have not
get into our house, all

of the vermin species, the
mice and different rodents.

I believe that snakes
will just want to really

just get out of your road.

They just want to get
on with their life.

They're not out there to
kill you and all that.

They're not out
there to bite you.

Now, we have a little
something extra lined up today.

I don't know if you were
aware of this or not.

But would you be comfortable--

A snake?
We have--

A rough-scaled?

A rough-scaled snake?

We are in
the vicinity of a snake, not

a rough-scaled snake, the
tiger snake, the snake that

is actually responsible for
providing the venom that created

an antivenom to save your life.

Would you be up for
meeting a tiger snake?

I'd like to meet it.

I don't want to hold it.

It will be totally controlled.

And if you want, you'll even
be able to pet its tail.

No, no, no, no thanks.

You don't
think you'll pet its tail?

You might when you see
how pretty the snake is.

No, I don't know.

We'll cross that--

Bring it on.
Bring it on.

- bridge
when we get to it.

But you at least
seeing the snake,

that's a huge step
in saying that you're

not afraid of snakes.

Most people, had they
been bitten by a snake,

would have immediately said,
whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on,

you've got a snake here in
the same vicinity as me?

So I love that you immediately--

Oh, thank you.

I saw
your eyes light up.

You're like, no, no,
no, I love snakes.

I would love to see
what this snake is.

Thank you.

So that is going

to be the next piece of this
episode, getting Liila up close

and personal with the very
snake species whose venom

ultimately saved her life.

I'm a fighter, you know.

I fought my way back, I reckon.

I'm here today
because I'm a fighter.

OK, Liila, we've

got you in the room of snakes.

Now, I know you're
not afraid of snakes.

We've already accomplished that.

But the tiger snake is
going to be coming out here.

Lockie's going to get
it onto the floor.

We're back with
plenty of distance.

We're going to get it
inside of the tube,

and you'll see how
that completely

controls the snake's
head so it keeps us

and the animal completely safe.

It's always a little
nerve-racking,

though, any time one of
these venomous snakes

comes out of its enclosure.

Ooh.

See that?

So now that the snake
is in the tube--

we'll work it up just
a little bit further.

OK, cool, snake
is under control.

And now we're going
to move a little stool

in for you to sit on.

Right.

Are you comfortable?

Yep.

OK, cool, Lockie, we're good.

OK.

Liila, feeling OK?

Yeah.

OK, there it is,
the tiger snake.

You can see why it's
called the tiger snake,

that beautiful tiger pattern.

Now, they come in a variety
of different colors.

This one specifically I
would say is extra beautiful.

It kind of looks like the
white Siberian tiger version.

Yeah, it's beautiful.

Liila, is this your first
time encountering a venomous

snake since the bite incident?
Yes.

It is?
Wow.

That's a big step.

Here we are 50 years
later, and you're

in the room with the very
animal whose toxic venom

ultimately became the
thing that saved her life.

Wow.

How are you feeling right now?

A little more nerve-racking
to be in a room of snakes

than it is on the porch?

No, no, I feel fine,
totally relaxed, OK.

Now, what are the
odds, do you think,

that you are able to just
gently pet the snake's back?

Do you think you could do that?
- The back?

- The back of it.
- What about the tail?

You could touch
the tail, yeah.

You want to pet the tail?

OK, yep.

Pretty cool, huh?

Yeah.

Ooh.

Nothing can hurt you.

See how the snake's head--
obviously completely contained

withinside of that tube.

And this is a rather
secretive snake species.

So unless you're in the
right place at the right time

to see the snake,
which, as a team,

we are often looking
to do-- but for anybody

out there wanting
to avoid snakes,

there's a good chance you'd
be able to avoid this one.

Oh, OK.

Yeah.

And when applicable, milking
the venom from this species

is what is saving
people that are bitten.

So it's pretty cool that
this snake and the science

that's being done to save lives
comes from such a cool animal.

Do you want to touch
it on the back there?

Beyond the tail?

Oh, we're working beyond
the tail at this point.

Pretty smooth, huh?

Yeah.

A lot of people think
that snakes are slimy.

They certainly are not.

The scales are very dry, very
sleek, and very powerful.

You can see how it's just
slowly inching itself forward

in the tube, and I'm going
to let it come up just

a little bit more like this.

And I'm going to let the
head just peek out a tiny bit

so that Mario can get that shot.

But don't worry, you're still
going to be completely safe.

There we go.

Look at that,
pretty cool to see.

See that?
Look at that.

Oh.

Look at that, he's like,
I want to just keep going.

Don't point it this way.

Oh my god.

Look at that, he
yawned right at you.

Oh, no.

That was basically
him saying, hey--

Oh, no, I'm starting to
feel a bit nervous now.

Oh, no.
- Liila, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

I'm starting to feel a
little bit nervous now.

- A little bit nervous now?
- Yeah.

OK.

Well, I think at this point what
I would love to do is show you

the proper treatment
for a snake bite.

Yes, this is a good idea.

Probably a good idea to get
it back into its enclosure

at this point?
- Yeah, I think so.

All right, I'm going to hand
the tiger-- everybody back

up just a little bit there.

Tiger's coming back
over to Lockie.

Let me know when
you're comfortable.

- Good.
- Good?

- Got it.
- OK.

Got it?
- Thank you.

And there we have it.

I patted it.
You did.

You did.
I even patted its back.

That's
such a huge step.

I patted its back.

Yeah.
You see?

Can't believe I did that.

And up
there, you were like, no, I'm

not going to be able to pet it.

But then you saw, you realized,
oh, it's not that scary.

Can I give you a hug?

I'm so proud of you.

That was amazing.

Liila, we did it.

You told your
story to the world.

You got face to face
with a venomous snake

and even touched it, not just
the tail, but also the back.

I'm Coyote Peterson.

Be brave.

Stay wild.

We'll see you on
the next adventure.

Hidden beneath my hat
is one of the most

talented performing reptiles
that lives in North America.

Let me introduce you to
the Eastern hognose snake.

That reptile right
there has some

of the most incredible defensive
abilities of any reptile

that exists on our planet.

And when you take a
quick look at this snake,

you'll notice it's banded
and checkered patterning.

Many people mistake
this snake for a timber

rattlesnake or a copperhead.

But I can promise you this
snake is completely harmless.

It is all bluff and no bite.

It's very rare that this snake
would ever try to bite a human.

And to prove that, I'm
going to place my hand

right in front of its face.

What do you think's
going to happen?

Do you think this snake is
going to latch onto my hand?

Let's find out.

All right, buddy,
there's my hand.

What are you going
to do about it?

Are you going to bite me, or
are you going to sniff me?

That's right, you can see it's
just flicking out its tongue,

sensing my hand,
doing absolutely

nothing in regards to biting.

When it comes to the
name hog-nosed snake,

you can easily look at the
front of this animal's face

and see that upward turn scale.

Almost looks like
the snout of a pig.

This reptile uses that snout
to dig through sandy soil

or to bury down
in the leaf litter

that covers the forest floor.

Now, imagine when it comes to
hunting for its prey, that also

gives it quite the advantage
if it needs to move

down and through burrows.

Honestly, I think it makes
the snake look pretty cute.

Boop.

They also have the
ability to play dead.

It is a very
dramatic performance.

And with any luck, we're going
to find one of these snakes

that's a little bit bigger
and a little bit more willing

to try to win the
Reptile Academy Awards.

This is great hognose
snake territory.

Another hognose
snake right here.

Oh, it is a big one, too.

Here, here, here,
somebody take this camera.

Take that.

Wow.

OK, I don't want him to get
into this pile of timbers.

Wow, look at the
size of that one.

This is without question
the biggest hognose

that we have seen all day.

It seems to be working.

He's getting the snake to want
to corral underneath a hat.

It is our second hognose
snake of the day,

and it is absolutely beautiful.

Look at the color variation
in this snake specifically.

It is bright orange and black.

It looks like the mascot
for brave wilderness.

This is incredible.

And here we are seeing
that defensive display.

Take a look at that
flattened out head.

That is the cobra design that
these snakes have mastered.

They are not related to
cobras in any way whatsoever,

but for any potential attacker,
if you see that display,

you're being warned that, hey,
I am definitely not something

that you want to mess with.

You'll notice the snake does
not even open up its mouth when

it does that striking display.

I can tell that you just want
to get back out into the leaves

and continue hunting,
and I think we're

going to let you do just that.

Down to your left.

Hognose?

Yep.

Whoa, look at that hognose.

Beauty.

Wow.

Look at that display,
the hiss, the strike.

There he goes.

The camouflage.

We're getting the full show.

Let's see what happens when I
actually do set it here and hold

it in position for a second.

You want to get calm--
calm down a bit?

Yep, I see there's
your mouth gaped open.

Yeah, look at that.

Wow.

That is incredible.

And one of the coolest
things about these reptiles

is they are mildly venomous.

Their rear fangs are
uniquely designed

and that they're used
to deflate toads.

And in many instances,
a toad will puff up

its body to seem bigger.

That also makes it a lot
more difficult to swallow.

Well, when you're a snake
that has big, long rear fangs

and you use those fangs
to pop holes in the toad,

it deflates, and then,
of course, it can

swallow down that prey item.

And that, almost like a water
moccasin, is a threat that says,

don't get too close, you don't
want to take a bite from me.

Oh, snake.

Black hognose snake.

- Really?
- Right here.

OK, here we go.

Here we go.

Moving into defense pose.

Look at that hooding.

Wow, there he is.

Look at you.

Look at you.

Look at that coloration.

If we were making an episode all
about the variation in color--

oh.

Wait a minute, you're turning
your head upside down.

Are you about to put on the
death roll display for us.

Something might
be happening here.

Oh.

No?

Oh, oh, poop, little bit of
poop, little bit of poop.

Oh, and here we go.

It's happening.
This is it.

This is the display.

There it is.

There it is.

The snake, it did it.

Oh, my goodness.

And you can see what it's
doing is it is actually rubbing

that musk and
defecation on itself

to make-- oh, my gosh, the
smell is atrocious, absolutely

atrocious.

And by rubbing its
musk all over it,

it probably would taste
absolutely horrible.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh-ho-ho.

Wow.

Look at this.

All right, I'm getting right
down into the mix of it.

This is exactly what
we were hoping to see.

Look at that.

That is so cool.

On its back, revealing
that lighter coloration,

mouth gaped open.

Eurgh, you don't want to eat me.

Eurgh.

Look, it's drooling.

That is so weird.

Wow.

I have read about this snake
putting on a performance

like this in every single book.

The hognose snake is famous
for its ability to play dead.

Now, I can promise you this
snake is very much alive.

And it will hold this
position basically

until we've decided to move on.

I've read that they
will stay in, oops,

I've croaked mode for
close to 30 minutes.

What an interesting
behavior to have developed.

Now, in nature, any time an
animal is dead and rotting,

it can be transmitting diseases
or all sorts of sicknesses

that if another animal
comes in and consumes it,

could ultimately take down
the consumer of that meat.

You may think that the snake
would be more vulnerable flipped

over on its back like this.

But with the smell, the taste,
all those things combined,

most predators would be
deterred from consuming

the snake at this point.

Let's see what happens when
I just pick up the head

and show you the
inside of the mouth.

Look at that, so
bizarre looking.

Now, in some areas, they
refer to the hognose

as the zombie snake.

That's because while
it appears to be dead,

it is still very much alive.

I would say today was a
hognose snake extravaganza.

We saw multiple specimens
of varying colors

and came across all of the
quintessential threat displays--

puffing up the body, hissing,
flattening out the head,

even threatening to strike
with a closed mouth.

But it wasn't until we saw
this ultimate award-winning

performance of
playing dead that I

truly became impressed
with this unique snake.

I'm Coyote Peterson.

Be brave.

Stay wild.

We'll see you on
the next adventure.