Exercise caution with snakes: DSE

By Seth Hynes
SNAKES are becoming more active in the beginning of spring, and Snakebusters and the Department of Sustainability and Environment advises caution when dealing with them.
Nick Cleman from the DSE said that “snakes will be emerging from their hibernation over winter to bask in the sun and start moving about to look for food and a mate.”
This increase in snake activity, caused by the high temperatures predicted for Melbourne and north-western Victoria, will coincide with people spending more time outdoors.
“These two factors combined mean that people are more likely to see a snake around from now on,” Mr Cleman said.
Raymond Hoser from Snakebusters, a snake-catching and reptile education business, explained that spring was the busiest period for snakes.
“In Melbourne we get more calls in November-December than in the whole year,” he said.
Snakes are more common in the urban fringe and rural areas, and tiger snakes and lowland copperheads are the most numerous.
“All snakes that are native to Melbourne… are venomous,” he warned. However, he insisted that snakes only bite when provoked.
“If you see a snake, ignore it,” he said. “Leave it alone and it will leave you alone.”
For more advice, call the DSE on 136 186.