Snakes are on the move and are looking for a reprieve from the heat in suburbia.
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And suburban Southern Highlands is no exception.
An East Bowral resident, who asked not to be named, is still in shock after finding a venomous snake in an unexpected location in her backyard.
As far as she was concerned any snake in her backyard was unwelcome and after a quick check on Facebook’s Snake Identification page she realised her gatecrasher was especially unwanted.
The slithery visitor was a Copperhead which thrives in cooler climates and prefers being near water. These slippery serpents, who love a swim, can be identified by the coppery-brown colour on the head and blackish, grey-brown body. While they prefer to avoid human interaction, this particular snake took itself to the ‘perfect spot’ to cool down in East Bowral.
“The snake was at my back door curled around the air conditioning outlet,” she said.
The property chosen by the snake for a cool down is located next to a public walkway and a park, but many houses are also located in the area. “I’m just concerned with the children’s park so close.”
Reptile catcher, Ray McGibbon said snakes had been making their way into the backyard of peoples’ homes looking for refuge as water supplies became scarce.
“Snakes are starting to move more and more away from reserves and vacant land and going towards suburban areas people control the water. That’s why there’s so much snake activity,” he said.
“If you have one in your yard, call a licensed snake catcher right away, keep an eye on it and stay away from it. That way you can tell the licensed snake catcher where it is.
“Copperheads won’t kill you but they will make you very sick. So you need to be careful, it’s all about how you behave and how you move around them.”
Copperhead’s aren’t the only scaly reptiles looking to cool down - Red Belly Black and Eastern Brown snakes are also slithering into the suburbs.
If you see a snake do not catch and relocate it yourself. If bitten call 000 and follow the prompts. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, call your vet for advice.
If you have a snake in your backyard, call Wires on 1300 094 737 or Ray McGibbon on 0400 734 225
