In September/October every What to do if you find a snake Inc year the NATF Wildlife in your house Rescue Service gets many calls about reptiles being in gardens, If you do come across a snake in houses, pools, ponds etc. This is your house then please close all the the time of the year that reptiles other doors that lead into the rest of come out of hibernation and the house and if there is a gap under start getting very active to breed the door block that off too using and feed up over summer ready towels jammed firmly under it for next winter. The other time blocking the whole space as snakes Blue tongue Lizard – dog attack they become more active can slide through very small gaps. If around houses also occurs there is a door that leads outside then during March/April/May when leave it wide open and keep watch to the reptiles are looking for see if the snake leaves. On hot days somewhere to hibernate. snakes will often go into houses looking for a cool place to rest Many get injured on our roads, during the hottest part of the day. especially our slow moving Even though they need warmth to Long-necked Tortoises, Blue- feed and digest food they do not tongued Lizards, Bearded actually like it too hot as they can die Dragons, Pythons and many quite quickly if stuck in direct sun other species of snakes and for too long. In really hot weather lizards. They often sit on the some prefer to move about on warm Jacky Lizard – cat attack tarred roads for extra warmth as nights instead of during the day. reptiles need to be warm to catch and digest their food. If the snake does not leave then call the NATFInc Wildlife Rescue Service hotline for advice on 0418 628 483 or 0418 NATIVE
If you have a snake in your
garden – keep your dogs and Carpet Python – escaped pet children indoors and keep an eye on the snake to see if it leaves your area. Keep a safe distance away from the snake and watch where it goes.
Lace Monitor-unsuitable environment Snakes Found in the Hunter The most common poisonous snake Region: Non-Venomous & to appear in gardens is the Venomous Red-bellied Black Snake. They particularly like swampy and wet areas, especially if you have a pond The Diamond Python and or a dam and frogs in the area. Green Tree snake are our two Many Red-Bellied Black snakes are larger non-venomous snakes in attracted to ponds and swimming the Hunter. If found in a tree or pools during hot summer months as fence, etc. just leave it in peace they require water to soften their if it is not in danger from dogs, outer skin when they are ready to cats, or people, etc. These slough (peel or rub) it off. This is Golden Crowned Snake reptiles are harmless and will how they grow. Their outer skin assist in keeping mice and rat actually gets too tight and they have numbers down around your a new skin underneath that is bigger. yard if they decide to hang around but most just pass The other poisonous (highly through and you never see them poisonous) snake that turns up is the again will probably be gone by Brown Snake. Even little brown the next day. snakes are very poisonous. Juvenile brown snakes 20cms and up to 40/50 Juvenile Brown Snake (Venomous) The Diamond Python has cms have a black head and a black small cream diamond shape on collar and usually have bands across most scales, some forming a their body as well. rosette pattern along the length of the snake. If you have a Also there are various small, usually python living in your roof you nocturnal (night active) snakes that will never have a mouse or rat are only mildly venomous and only problem as these are their cause local symptoms like a bee- favourite foods. sting:
The Green Tree Snake is not Yellow-faced Whipsnake grows to Red Bellied Black Snake (venomous) venomous – they can still bite about 80 to 100 cms. It is very long though – and can range from a and thin, with a small white patch in green colour to caramel brown front of and behind its eyes and it with blue flecks showing moves very quickly. between each scale. They have Marsh Snake 40 cms. Dark coloured a bright yellow throat and belly; with pale white stripes on upper lip and are a very slender snake and behind the eye. with a very thin tail. Tree snakes are attracted to frog Red-naped Snake 45 cms - harmless Green Tree Snake (non-venomous) ponds and cool thick vegetation with a red patch on head. that is good habitat for frogs because that is their favourite Golden Crowned Snake 40 cms – food. has a gold crown pattern on its head and is a dark brown colour. The Brown Tree Snake is similar but has very large brown bulgy eyes and a very narrow neck and has more pattern on their body scales. Diamond Python (non-venomous)
SNAKEBITES WHAT TO DO IF WARNING Do not wash venom off the BITTEN BY A SNAKE: skin as retained venom will ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A assist identification of the BROWN OR RED-BELLIED 1) Check for signs of life snake and the decision BLACK SNAKE. . if casualty is unconscious, about which antivenin is TRY TO KEEP CALM - THE follow DRABCD (Danger, required. CALMER YOU ARE THE Do not cut bitten area or try SLOWER THE VENOM Response, Airway, Breathing, to suck venom out of the TRAVELS THROUGH YOUR CPR, Defibrillation). wound. BODY. Do not use a constrictive 2) Calm casualty bandage (i.e. arterial If someone is with you –sit still . Keep the person calm and at tourniquet). while they get bandages to complete rest. Do not try and catch the bandage around your wound and then they will ring for medical help and an ambulance. 3) Apply pressure Extra handy notes: immobilisation bandage The following is from the • Apply a firm, broad roller . Constantly observe the person; if there are no signs recommended RED CROSS AID. bandage (5cm – 10cm) firmly of life start resuscitation at SNAKE BITE. over the bite site. With a once. Many snakes are quite harmless second roller bandage, . When possible, bring to people, those which are commence at the extremity of medical aid to the person or dangerous will usually only bite the limb and apply upwards, transport gently and without to protect themselves. Most working towards the heart, to panic to the nearest bites occur on the ankle or lower hospital. leg, so thick socks and strong cover as much of the limb as shoes should be worn when possible. If only one bandage . Mark on the bandage where walking through long grass or is available, commence at the the bite occurred so that the scrub. Treat all snake bites as extremities and work upwards whole bandage does not poisonous, unless expert opinion including the bite site in the have to be removed at is available at the scene. process. hospital – they can part the bandage at the bite site. • The bandage needs to be very You could mark it with a firm as would be used for a texta pen or just place something in the fold of the SIGNS & SYMPTOMS sprained ankle. bandage to show the position. • puncture marks 4) Immobilise casualty • nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea . Apply a splint to immobilise the . Until antivenin is available • headache bitten limb. and ready to be • double or blurred vision . Check circulation in fingers or administered DO NOT • breathing difficulties toes. REMOVE the bandage. • drowsiness, giddiness • Ensure casualty doesn’t move. . Stress again – DO NOT • pain or tightness in chest or Once applied, the bandage WRAP the bandage TOO abdomen and splint should be kept in TIGHT as the blood • respiratory weakness or circulation could be cut off arrest. place until the person reaches and when the bandage is hospital. loosened then the flow of the venom will rush too 5) Call 000 for an ambulance rapidly through the body. Snakes can sometimes do ‘dry’ bites so it may not have injected any venom, however, always assume they have