Many people suffer from ophidophobia (fear of snakes) and are filled with terror at the mere thought of a snake encounter. Sadly, for this reason, snakes have been endlessly persecuted and there are many Australians out there guilty of killing snakes for no reason other than fearing them. This is a shameful fact especially as most snakes are shy and prefer to move away or lie still in the hope of going undetected. In fact, most victims of snakebites are those who have tried to kill or interfere with the animal!

Living with Snakes

The Townsville region has a plentiful variety of snakes including Green Tree Snakes; Water Pythons; Carpet Pythons; Black Whip Snakes and Eastern Brown Snakes. The best possible advice if you see a snake is to leave it alone and walk the other way or if it is in ‘your’ garden bring everyone including pets inside and let the snake leave on its own accord.

Preventing a snake entering your yard may be very difficult, but reducing the risk of snakebite is the best alternative:

• Keep the grass around your house mown, as snakes prefer not to cross open spaces

• Keep garden debris to a minimum - remove rubbish piles and sheets of tin that may provide shelter

• Be wary around wood piles and compost heaps ideally they should be raised off the ground

• Keep standing water such as ponds to a minimum as fish and frogs providing a tempting food source

• Eradicate vermin - caged birds, especially chickens, attract rodents. Providing an easy food source is a sure way of encouraging snakes into or near your home. Think twice about keeping animals that might attract snakes to your property

• Reduce the risk of snakes entering your home by having close-fitting rubber weather-seals on all exterior doors and when snake proofing your home do not forget the shed, garage, workshop etc.

• Have a well-maintained fence

• Cracks or crevices in paving or around you home provide good homes for lizards – another good food source for many snakes

• Wear thick gloves when gardening and suitable foot wear such as gum boots (not thongs) in high-risk areas

It is worth remembering snakes are a protected species and killing or harming them is an offence under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

For information on how to get a snake removed from your house or property contact North Queensland Wildlife Care Group Inc on 0414 717 374

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