WITH the sun now starting to shine, snakes have begun to pop their heads out across the Highlands.
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Over the past three weeks, licensed snake relocater Ray McGibbon has relocated more than 30 snakes in the Highlands.
He said Highlands Copperheads and Red Belly Black snakes were among the most common in the area but the odd Tiger Snake and Eastern Brown Snake had been spotted.
While many people believe that if you see a snake you should make plenty of noise, Mr McGibbon said this was not the correct procedure.
He said anyone who has seen a snake should move away slowly and call a licensed snake relocator to come and relocate the reptile.
If you cannot find a licensed snake catcher, Mr McGibbon said to call the police or local council who will have contact details for one.
“Don’t run, move erratically or try to attack it. Also remember not to kill or harm the snake as doing so can cause you to be bitten. A lot of the snakes in the highlands are highly venomous and can inflict a fatal bite if not treated correctly, ” he said.
“You’re dealing with highly venomous reptiles so you’re better off leaving it to a professional. ”
Mr McGibbon said a licensed snake relocator would ask questions about the size and colour of the snake to identify it.
“They [the person who saw the snake] should stay a safe distance from the reptile if they can and keep an eye on the snake so when we turn up we know where it it.”
Reptiles are protected in NSW under National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
“People fear what they don't understand, so with the correct education and information out there about our reptiles the safer you will be,” he said.
To legally catch a snake Mr McGibbon said a person needed to be part of an organisation and trained in handling venomous reptiles.
Alternatively they can have their own catch and release licence.
The correct equipment for catching a snake includes a snake hook, snake hoop and an incollapsible container.
Snakes need to be released within a 5km radius of where it had been found.
Mr McGibbon covers the area from Bargo to Marulan and has handled reptiles for 28 years.
As part of his business OzStyle Reptiles, he also does advisory talks, presentations and property surveys.
A survey involves looking at a property and determining what areas need to be cleaned to prevent a snake from living on the property.
Anyone that sees a snake can contact Mr McGibbon on 0400 734 225 or email ozstylereptiles@hotmail.com.
He can also be contacted on the Reptile, Rescue and Relocations Southern Highlands Facebook page.
Mr McGibbon also collects funnel web spiders for the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford for venom collection to be sent off to make the anti-venom.
