From “sketchy” toilet block rescues to being tucked behind microwaves or hiding under beds, slithery creatures have been keeping snake catchers busy over the holiday period.
While much of the region has been enjoying time off, Sunshine Coast snake catcher Stuart McKenzie and the fearless team from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 have been “hectic” attending call-outs.
Mr McKenzie told Sunshine Coast News it was mostly pythons and tree snakes finding their way into places no one wants to find a snake – namely inside the house.
He said the number of call-outs was on par with this time last year, despite there being less rain.
“We got a few jobs on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year, and today has been hectic,” he told SCN on Wednesday last week.
“There are a lot of pythons and I can’t remember the last time I caught a big brown snake.
“We are getting a few red-bellies and a few tree snakes too.
“We’ve had a few snakes inside recently and we also found a tree snake behind a microwave.”
Mr McKenzie last month spoke to Sunshine Coast News about a hair-raising encounter with a brown snake at Kureelpa.
He also said snake catchers had a call last week to a home where a “cheeky” tree snake was found under a young girl’s bed.
But it was one snake at a park at Mudjimba recently that proved tricky for the seasoned catcher after it was spotted climbing water tanks, pipes and wire fences around the toilet block.
“We had a decent-sized red-belly climb up on top of a water tank too, and I had to catch it at eye level,” Mr McKenzie said.
“It was a very sketchy job and at one stage I had to let go of the snake as it had the upper hand and I didn’t want to get bitten in the face.”
With hatching season just weeks are way, several pythons are also being found incubating their clutch of eggs.
“We were called out to a home for a carpet python that was seen basking within the family’s veggie patch,” Mr McKenzie said.
“When we arrived and finally found the snake we realised it was actually a female on eggs.”
As snakes continue to be on the move, Mr McKenzie is reminding residents to be alert but not alarmed about the often “misunderstood” creatures.
He said a lot of his work was also about educating the public on what to do if they come across a snake.
“Obviously a bit of common sense goes a long way,” he said.
“If you see one in your yard, keep a safe distance and keep your pets away from it and keep an eye on it.
“You can give it a chance to move on or call your local snake catcher.
“If it’s inside it needs to be relocated by a professional so call your local snake catcher.”
Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 can be contacted on 0408 545 440 or find them on Facebook or at thesnakecatcher.com.au.
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