AS temperatures rise for spring so do snake encounters, with the slippery serpents having been spotted across the Logan-Beaudesert district.
Wildlife carer and snake catcher Alma Searle said she received several calls over the past few weeks to pick up snakes.
“I have had quite a few call outs already and I am not the only snake catcher in the area,” she said.
“I have been getting calls out from the vets because people have been dropping them off after their dogs have been attacking them in the yard.”
She urged people not to take a snake on.
“Call a snake catcher; an experienced person who is trained to do the job,” she said.
“If you are not sure what type of snake it is, treat it like a venomous snake.
“Do not take it on yourself because Eastern browns can rear up and strike two metres; guaranteed to hit you.”
Alma said during the warmer months snakes look for external heat sources such as the sun or warmed rocks to gain body warmth.
“They are going to be hungry and they will be looking for partners to mate with,” she said.
“People will see snakes that are fighting and that is two males fighting over a female and instead of having two snakes in your yard, you will have three snakes in your yard.
Contact Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for details of local commercial snake catchers 1300 130 372.
What to do if bitten by a snake:
- Rest and reassure casualty.
- Apply a very firm pressure immobilisation bandage by applying a firm roller bandage starting just above the fingers or toes and moving upwards as far as can be reached up the limb. Apply tightly without stopping blood supply to the limb.
- Immobilise the limb using a splint and secure with second bandage.
- Ensure causality does not move.
- Call 000 for an ambulance.
- Write down the time of bite and when bandage was applied. Stay with casualty.
Source: St John’s Australian First Aid snakebite management
