SNAKES ARE ON THE MOVE

By Fiona Ewington

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SIGHTINGS RECENTLY OF SNAKES CROSSING OUR BUSY ROADS WITH SOME LOCAL MOTORISTS, BRAVELY STOPPING TRAFFIC, ENCOURAGING THE SNAKE TO MOVE TO SAFETY. FOR THOSE WITNESSING SUCH ACTS, THESE ARE HAILED AS A HEROIC GESTURE.

As we move into cooler months snakes will start to slow down, searching out comfortable spaces to enjoy their brumation which is known as hibernation for cold-blooded animals such as reptiles.

Although snakes on the Coast remain active all the year round, as temperatures drop, the snake’s digestion slows down becoming less active, moving predominantly during the warmer times of the day.

“We don’t get any night-time call outs during the winter months” Snake Catcher Luke Huntley explains. Pythons are prolific hunters at night due to much of their prey such as possums and rats being nocturnal.

Although snakes are happiest in the coastal sand dunes where the beaches’ morning sun brings the warmth, they need to be active

Prey such as frogs and nesting shore birds’ eggs are also delicious meals for our red bellies and brown snakes.

Whilst our coastline is abundant with wildlife, especially snakes, local snake catcher Luke, who grew up in Noosa and has been studying snakes all his life, tells us that snakes would prefer to move away from human activity than come towards it.

Very receptive to vibrations, while snakes are often spotted, they will generally move away from human movements.

That said, under all circumstances if bitten by a snake always call 000, for limb bites, apply a firm bandage and try to remain calm. Where possible remember the colour and shape of the snake which can help with treatments.

Often snakes end up in our homes and gardens looking for food and warmth, finding unusual places to curl up, and it is advised to call local snake catchers such as Luke who will safely remove and relocate them.

He advises that whilst pythons are not as venomous as our brown snakes and red belly blacks, they are very dangerous to pets such as chickens and guinea pigs and even cats.

Snakes may wander into our gardens from time to time especially during the breeding season between September and November, when they are at their most active, so to prevent snakes coming into houses, Luke advises screens across doors and windows.

For snake removal from properties, call local Snake Catcher Noosa Luke Huntley 24/7 please call 0499 920 290.

For snakes crossing roads, where safe to do so, stopping traffic and waiting for the snake to move on is the best option.