A Jimboomba snake catcher has urged residents to better educate themselves on how to avoid being bitten, following a hospitalisation overnight.
A Buccan woman, aged in her late 60s, was transported to the Logan Hospital in a stable condition, after being bitten on the arm by a snake while attending to her chooks in a backyard pen.
The incident occurred about 6.25pm on March 7.
Southside Snake Services owner Tanzen said the overnight situation was a common occurrence and encouraged residents to watch where they stepped, especially in dark and dimly lit areas.
The snake specialist said she had also already been called out to at least 50 snake incidents around the Jimboomba area since January 1.
“They can be found in places like the backyard shed, gardens, toilets and anywhere with a snake’s food,” she said.
“That’s why people need to exercise extreme caution while in chook pens, because there are always rats and mice.
“Carpet pythons, eastern browns and red-bellied black snakes are the three most common snakes to find in chicken coops.”
Tanzen said it was typical for these types of snakes to make an appearance in Jimboomba, particularly during the warmer months.
“We have snake activity all the way from the end of winter through to the warmer months, and they can even appear during the coolest time of year,” she said.
“We live in a sub-tropical climate and they don’t go into full hibernation.
“They go into what we call brumation – a state where they can wake up, move around and then go back to sleep.”
Tanzen said keeping distance, remaining calm and calling for professional help was the safest way for a resident to act while encountering a snake.
“90 per cent of bites occur when people try to catch or kill a snake,” she said.
“It’s unsafe and illegal to do so, especially if you don’t have a license.
“The best option is to always just keep your distance and call a professional who knows what they’re doing, so they can remove the animal from the environment.
“If you are bitten, sit down immediately, wrap a bandage around the bite and wrap that bandage around as much of the limb as possible.
“It stops the venom from moving while you wait for an ambulance.”
To get in contact with Tanzen, visit the Southside Snake Services Facebook page.