By Callum Ludwig
Snake catchers and vets are starting to see an influx of calls for snake sightings and injured animals as the warm weather arrives in the Yarra Valley.
A large snake was spotted in a Warburton backyard over the weekend and there have been three reports of dogs being bitten and occasionally killed by snakes in Wesburn, Wandin and Montrose so far this year.
Founder of wildlife conservation and education business Blacksnake Productions Michael Alexander said while snakes in the area are venomous and dangerous, they are an important part of the wildlife of the region.
“The animals have as much of a right to live here as we do, and it is actually illegal to remove or kill a snake yourself, with fines from $2000 to $5000, as well as being the number one reason for snake bites in Australia with more than 80 per cent of bites caused by people intentionally interacting with snakes,” he said.
“The equivalent of someone trying to catch or relocate a snake because it’s dangerous is like looking at a power point and thinking that’s dangerous, I will stick a fork in it. The best thing to do is either leave it alone if it’s near a bush block or call a snake catcher and if there is a dog involved, make sure they have snake avoidance training from professionals.”
If you find yourself in a situation where a snake is presenting a direct risk to you, an animal or others, or has remained in a location close to your home or business that is dangerous, it is best to call the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) wildlife emergency number at 136 186 and they will refer you on to your nearest local snake catcher. Avoid calling for a snake catcher unless absolutely necessary as snakes will likely leave you alone.
Mr Alexander said one of the best things to do to avoid being surprised by a snake is to keep your property nice and tidy.
“Try and make sure that you’re not providing habitat for snakes or leaving tarps, sheet metal wood lying about and if you have those and are trying to move them, always try and pull them towards you or drag it out so if there is a snake underneath, you aren’t standing over it,” he said.
“Always wear elbow-length gloves if you are putting your hands in and around vegetation or large bits of material so that all the way up your forearm is protected, as well as good footwear, long loose-fitting pants and if you’re working in really thick vegetation to wear snakebite gators, which will protect you.”
Back in early March 2022, a Melbourne Water worker conducting maintenance work was winched through the air to hospital after being bitten by a snake in difficult terrain just outside Healesville.
Mr Alexander described four of the six different types of snake likely to be encountered throughout the Yarra Ranges.
“North of the old railway line from Yarra Glen to Healesville, and up through Dixons Creek is the only place you will get red-bellied black snakes, in alpine mountainous areas like the Black Spur, Kinglake, Warburton and Powelltown you’ll find highland copperheads and in low-lying areas such as Yarra Glen, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Coldstream, Mt Evelyn, Montrose or Monbulk areas you’ll have the lowland copperhead,” he said.
Tiger snakes, which are absolutely everywhere in the Yarra Valley, the fourth-most venomous snake on the planet, with the longest fangs and highest venom yield of any snakes in Victoria. They are also very instinctive and will turn around and bite pretty much every single time they are frightened or threatened.”
The small-eyed snake and white-lipped snake can also be found all throughout the Yarra Valley, with the former found around Launching Place in particular and the latter known to make a home of Lilydale Lake as well as in the Dandenong Ranges.
There has only been one fatal snake bite so far this year in Australia in Gayndah, Queensland and there were five in 2020 and 2021, including that of an 11-year-old boy who died after his father failed to seek medical attention.
Mr Alexander said if you find yourself very close to a snake, stay still.
“Watch the snake’s reaction because it will most try to get away, they are terrified of us. If it doesn’t move away, move back slowly and avoid sudden movements. If further away, still leave slowly and call a snake catcher,” he said.
“Before a bite even occurs, you need to be prepared. Have a mobile phone on you, and have snakebite bandages around, in your car, on your person if away from your car or house. A first aid kit and a minimum of two pressure bandages are required for an adult’s leg.”
Mr Alexander recommends having SMART bandages, invented specifically for snake and funnel-web spider bites. The extremely durable SMART Bandage is 2 metres long and 10cm wide, with a rectangle pictogram that stretches to a square to show when optimal tension has been reached.
“Don’t touch, wash or do anything to the bite site, especially if there is venom on the skin because that’s good and will help identify the type of snake, so don’t worry about chasing after and taking a photo of the snake to identify it,” Mr Alexander said.
“Start applying the bandage from the bottom of the limb if the bite is on the lower end of the limb, if you’re bitten above the joint, start up from the top of the limb, such as from the top and down to the elbow or from the ankle up the limb. Then immobilise it and stay as still as possible to help prevent the venom from spreading.”
Some other local snake catchers include Jessica Bridge in Woori Yallock, Danny Goodwin in Woori Yallock, Russell Grant in Launching Place, Mike Taylor at Healesville Sanctuary, Pete Whybrow in the Black Spur and Raymond Hoser at Snake Busters in Park Orchards which has also covered the Yarra Valley for over 40 years.
