They’re cold-blooded predators, one of the 10 most common things people are afraid of and there’s a good chance they’re living in your neighbourhood.
Australia is home to more than 200 species of snakes and as snake expert Dane Trembath explains, many of them are venomous.
“There are over 110 species of elapids throughout Australia, so that’s front-fanged venomous snakes.”
Mr Trembath, who is the herpetology collection manager at the Australian Museum Research Institute, says they are most active during warmer months.
And although there’s a higher likelihood of encountering snakes in areas near bushland, he explains that some snakes “do quite well” in urban areas.
So what should you do if you suspect or see a snake in your home or garden? And how can you dissuade them from visiting in the first place?
Things that go bump
If you hear a suspicious noise coming from your ceiling, below the floorboards, behind a cupboard, or in your crawl space, and suspect it might be a snake, we have good and bad news.
The good news is, that noise is far more likely to be “a possum, a lizard or even a mouse”, according to snake catcher Brooke Smith, who runs a Brisbane and Gold Coast reptile relocation business alongside her husband Tony Harrison.
The bad news is, that not being able to hear snakes is not a conclusive indication that they’re not living on your property.
“Snakes are extremely silent,” Ms Smith says.
“There are some species like tree snakes that have a concave belly, where you can hear it sliding across the walls or the floor, so sometimes people do hear that, but other than that … they really don’t [make noise].”
Keep calm and call an expert
If you do spot a snake in your home, it’s important not to panic.
Ms Smith recommends staying a safe distance away but if possible, keeping an eye on the snake’s movements, and calling a professional to remove it.
She explains if a catcher doesn’t know where the snake is and can’t find it, they can’t do that.
“If it’s possible, get a photo and text it to the snake catcher and they can let you know what it is, or what they think it is,” she says.
“If it’s in a room where you can’t really keep an eye on it, close the door and tuck a towel at the bottom so they can’t get under.
Know who to call
If you live in areas where snakes are common, it’s a good idea to know who to call ahead of time.
Ms Smith suggests researching which snake-catching services are available in your area, so you know who to call in advance if you do come across a snake and if you have pets, you should also check which local vets carry snake antivenom.
Why you should never try to handle or move a snake (even if you like them)
You should never attempt to handle or remove a snake yourself – even if you think it’s non-venomous.
“There are people who will pick up what they think is a carpet python and it’s an eastern brown or a highly venomous Stephen’s banded snake,” Ms Smith says.
“It happens a lot; people just assume they know what it is and it’s a very, very big risk.”
How can you make your home a less appealing habitat for snakes?
The best thing you can do to minimise the chance of snakes is clear any unnecessary rubbish or debris from your yard.
“Get rid of any rubbish, large bits of tin, broken cars — anything that provides cover, because not only does it provide cover for snakes, it also provides cover for the lizards, frogs and small mammals that they eat,” Mr Trembath says.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ms Smith, who says “snakes want two things in life … food and shelter”.
“If you can reduce the stuff laying around in your yard, like overgrown palm fronds, big piles of mulch, timber, sleepers, tin, then you’ll have less chance of … snakes.”
You can also try to locate garden beds away from the perimeter of your house, keep your lawns cut short, stack any timber piles neatly and place food scraps in enclosed compost bins to avoid rodents.
But ultimately, Ms Smith says, “people just have to remember that snakes live here” and “be a little bit wary about where they put their hands or what they kick in what bushes”.
“But there are very minimal snake bites unless somebody goes and stirs a snake up.
“The snakes want absolutely nothing to do with us and if you can take your body and your hands and everything out of their space, it’s less likely to happen to you.”
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