Scott Williamson, Yas Valley’s snake catcher, was recently called to remove this brown snake, one of five, near his Yas home. Photo: Scott Williamson.
People living in both rural and urban areas have been warned to be especially vigilant due to the increase in snakes found after the recent floods.
Several rural lands have been hit by avalanches, like islands and country towns, and the NSW Farmers Association is reporting increased snake sightings as floodwaters drive reptiles to higher ground.
Sarah Thompson, of the New South Wales Farmers’ Association Rural Affairs Commission, said the spike in snake numbers was consistent with increased activity in the bush in general as summer approached.
“Just yesterday one of our members said she saw three black snakes near her house. It’s been like this for a while,” Mrs Thompson said. “They are just trying to get out of the water like we are.
“I am concerned about people who have dogs or who are out moving stranded livestock because they are at higher risk of being bitten.”
Another problem, she said, is that many rivers are upstream, so people find it difficult to access vets.
“This is happening everywhere. We hear these days that some farms are more like islands than paddocks and livestock are being attacked by snakes because they can’t get to the vet.
“Snakes generally do not seek to harm us or animals, but when approached due to flooding, the risk of attack on humans and animals increases. People should use common sense, be vigilant and be careful.” need to do it.”
Scott Williamson, a snake catcher in the Yas Valley area, said he was asked to move the snakes more often than usual, which he also blamed on the weather.
“We tend to see them more because of human invasion rather than because of the actual number of snakes,” he said.
“Blacks and tigers prefer water, but brown tigers readily take advantage of the weather.”
He said that if temperatures were warm enough, wet weather would not deter snake hunting, and snakes are “excellent swimmers.”
“Even in Yas town center, I’ve had a lot of calls lately. Unfortunately, the yard is piled up with garbage and building materials that inadvertently create a wonderful environment for snakes.” Even lowland vegetation can provide shelter and cover for snakes.”
More tiger snakes have been sighted recently after the recent torrential rains. Photo: Australian Museum.
Gunning’s Mike Corey, who has been catching snakes in the village for more than 20 years, said his most recent call was unusually the night a couple near the Gunning Showgrounds reported seeing a tiger snake in their hut. I was.
“I went in there and pecked a little bit and saw it. It was a little thing and just stared at me. Then I ran a runner under the ribs of the shed,” Corey said. “But luckily, the tail was sticking out a little bit, so I was able to catch it and put it in the bag.
“It was very pretty with lots of orange stripes.”
Corey said people were more likely to see tigers and black snakes than brown snakes after the floods, but warned that they are all dangerous and should be left to the experts.
The Australian Reptile Park estimates that there are more than 3000 snakebites in Australia each year and about 10% require antivenom.
If you are bitten by a snake, stay calm and immobile, remove all jewelry, apply a pressure-locking bandage to the bite site, and wrap the entire limb. Call an ambulance or go directly to the hospital.
