Taipan Territory
Australian Geographic Magazine|May - June 2018

An encounter with one of the world’s most venomous snakes in an Australian desert: what more could a reptile enthusiast want?​​​

Ross McGibbon
Taipan Territory

IMAGINE THAT YOU’RE A passionate surfer. You talk about surfing to anyone who’ll listen; read every surfing book and magazine you can nd; spend all your spare time travelling in search of the best waves. Now, translate that enthusiasm into finding and photographing reptiles in the wild and you’ll begin to understand the passion that I have for these animals. It’s this enthusiasm that led fellow wildlife photographer Tim Squires and me on an expedition into the remote Great Victoria Desert, about 1500km inland from Perth, where we hoped to nd and photograph the western desert taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis).

Most Australians would have heard of taipans because these reptiles are among the world’s most infamous snakes and Australia is home to all three known species. These are the notorious coastal taipan, which is also found in southern New Guinea; the inland taipan, sometimes known popularly as the fierce snake and believed to have the most toxic venom of any land snake; and the recently described western desert taipan.

They are all formidable snake species, possessing large fangs, extremely potent venom and an agility that demands the utmost respect from even the most experienced of snake handlers. Returning to the surfing analogy, photographing taipans is like big-wave riding – succeed, and you won’t remember a happier moment; get it wrong and it may cost you your life.

Tim knows about this better than most. It’s almost a year since our last taipan expedition, during which he nearly died after being bitten by an inland taipan. It’s an ordeal neither of us is eager to repeat.

But where there’s risk, there’s reward, and, for me, there’s no greater reward than seeing these wild places and animals with my own eyes.

Bu hikaye Australian Geographic Magazine dergisinin May - June 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Australian Geographic Magazine dergisinin May - June 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
SULAWESI SENSATIONS
Australian Geographic Magazine

SULAWESI SENSATIONS

There are worlds within worlds and marvels untold waiting to be experienced on Indonesia's remote islands.

time-read
9 dak  |
September-October 2024
SEARCHING FOR AUSSIE DINOSAURS
Australian Geographic Magazine

SEARCHING FOR AUSSIE DINOSAURS

Our understanding of where to find ancient life in Australia has been turned on its head by a new appreciation of the country's geology. Now the world is looking to our vast outback as the latest hotspot to locate fossils.

time-read
10+ dak  |
September-October 2024
THE HARDEST NIGHT
Australian Geographic Magazine

THE HARDEST NIGHT

The first Australian ascent of Mt Everest in 1984 is one of the great feats of mountaineering. Climbed by a small team semi-alpine style, with no bottled oxygen, via the Great (Norton) Couloir, it remains unrepeated 40 years later.

time-read
10+ dak  |
September-October 2024
WEDGE-TAILED WONDER
Australian Geographic Magazine

WEDGE-TAILED WONDER

The chance discovery of an eagle nest leads to an extended vigil observing normally hidden behaviours of one of nature's supreme winged marvels.

time-read
3 dak  |
September-October 2024
BURDENED BY BEAUTY
Australian Geographic Magazine

BURDENED BY BEAUTY

Northern Australia's Gouldian finch survives in huge numbers in cages around the world, but its wild population continues to struggle.

time-read
4 dak  |
September-October 2024
A TELESCOPE FOR A GOLDEN AGE
Australian Geographic Magazine

A TELESCOPE FOR A GOLDEN AGE

After a stellar 50 years as one of the country's major scientific assets, the AAT continues to play a major role in keeping Australian astronomy on the world stage.

time-read
7 dak  |
September-October 2024
COCKY WHISPERING AT COOMALLO CREEK
Australian Geographic Magazine

COCKY WHISPERING AT COOMALLO CREEK

This patch of remnant bush on the edge of the West Australian wheatbelt is a place loved by one of Australia's rarest bird species and the man who has studied the site for more than 50 years.

time-read
6 dak  |
September-October 2024
A PIONEERING PAIR
Australian Geographic Magazine

A PIONEERING PAIR

Louisa Atkinson and her mother, Charlotte, were among Australia's earliest authors, and pioneers in women's rights.

time-read
9 dak  |
September-October 2024
THE LONGEST WALK
Australian Geographic Magazine

THE LONGEST WALK

Lucy Barnard is walking from Argentina to Alaska -the length of the Americas - on an extraordinary journey of endurance and adventure.

time-read
6 dak  |
September-October 2024
SECLUDED, BUT NOT ALONE
Australian Geographic Magazine

SECLUDED, BUT NOT ALONE

In an era of heightened social isolation, where many of us lead lonely lives, Dangar Island offers the chance to be part of a supportive, connected community.

time-read
7 dak  |
September-October 2024