Original subtitles

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.