A rapid start to the snake season is seeing activity ramp up across the Sunshine Coast, while one of the region’s busiest catchers believes ongoing development is pushing more of the reptiles into suburbia.
A quick scroll through Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7’s social media could leave the impression snakes are suddenly everywhere.
Recent catches by the team have included a mating pair of eastern browns out in the open, a red-bellied black snake tucked behind a kitchen kickboard and another brown hiding among unused materials in a suburban backyard.
There is also wildlife carer Summer Woolston, smiling with her first large eastern brown of the season.
But despite the growing stream of sightings and captures, Ms Woolston said there had been no unusual spike in the region.
Instead, she said the warmer weather was bringing the usual seasonal rise in activity, with peak snake season generally spanning from the end of August to March.
Breeding season was also beginning, meaning residents could witness male snakes fighting over females, snakes mating and females with eggs or carrying live young.
“These things are awesome to admire from a distance and if someone is uncomfortable with it happening on their property, us licensed snake catchers are always more than happy to give advice, educate or professionally relocate,” Ms Woolston said.
“The heat definitely picked up quite fast this year resulting in a slightly early beginning of the season.
“Some days have even been too hot to the point where the snakes were seeking coverage and shade instead.”
She believed another factor to the perceived increase in sightings could be related to the change in where people were encountering the reptiles.
“Due to increased development, I believe we are definitely seeing an influx of snakes in suburbia as their bushland becomes less and less,” she said.
Weather could also help explain some of the more unexpected places snakes were turning up.
“Snakes will usually seek shelter during extremely hot, rainy or windy days,” Ms Woolston said.
“Sometimes this may end up being in someone’s house if they can get in.
“It’s always a good idea to keep doors closed and ensure any fly screen windows and doors do not have holes in them.
“Sometimes snakes can also enter through doggy doors and cat flaps, so keeping them secure when not in use is a great idea as well.”
Ms Woolston said the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 team safely relocated hundreds of snakes during the season.
She had already relocated several smaller eastern browns before landing her first large catch of the season this week.
The key for the catchers, she said, was to stay calm – for the animal and the people watching the process.
“I personally don’t get anxious or nervous anymore with them, more just excitement and determination to succeed in the catch and not get bitten.”
“I try and remain as calm as possible to not only keep the snake more calm, but to not put a false perspective on snakes to the customers.
“My advice when a person sees a snake, no matter the species, is to stand back, leave it alone and let it go on its way if not wanting it relocated.
“Neither the eastern brown nor red-bellied black snake chase or attack people.
“If you see one and you run away, it will do the same thing. If you see one and you’re super close to it, just stand still and it’ll not perceive you as a threat and continue on its journey.”
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She said basic property maintenance could reduce potential hiding places and discourage rodents.
“Overall it’s important people use common sense.”
“Mow your lawn, keep the garden tidy, try your best to prevent rodents from lingering on your property, keep your outdoor pet cages secure and don’t leave things lying around that could create a perfect hiding spot for a snake.
“Snakes live in this country too, and their importance needs to be understood and respected.
“They are just trying to survive like any other animal, and they do not mean to scare people or come onto people’s properties.”
All snake bites must be treated as potentially life-threatening. If you have been bitten by a snake, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Health Direct urges people to follow these steps:
- Get the person away from the snake.
- Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance (if calling triple zero does not work on your mobile phone, try calling 112).
- Keep the person who has been bitten still and help them to stay calm.
- Apply a pressure bandage.
- Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if the person is unresponsive or not breathing normally.
- Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
