Melbourne Snakes have been quite active over the past few weeks. Some days I’ve had 30 plus calls. A lot of the time the snake is seen and then disappears.

Warrandyte Tiger Snake in house, Snake Catcher Melbourne

Copperhead in Melbourne backyard.

Another Tiger Snake from Melbourne Backyard……

Surprisingly people see a snake on their property and think it is the first one that has ever been their. However, most properties that have snakes are in locations that are favourable to snakes. The ingredients are all their, suitable habitat, food and other snakes. This means that throughout the course of a snake season there may have been multiple snakes pass through the property and then move off. Usually passing through undetected and causing no harm.
Generally snakes pass through a property looking for food or a mate then move back to where they feel safe. Sometimes they will hang around. If the property is very quiet and all the ingredients are present, are digesting a large food item or are shedding their skin. During these cases the snake may stay for a prolonged period and a snake catcher may be needed to capture and relocate.
My main concerns for the occupants of your property are accidentally stepping on a snake, very rare. Or your canines getting bitten. They usually bail the snake up in a corner or attack the snake and it bites. I recommend contacting this company to train your dogs. 

https://www.facebook.com/K9snakeavoidancevic/

https://www.facebook.com/snakeremovalmelbourne/

When we are called, we often have to be good at counselling and diagnosing non snake related or non-living objects. Quite often over the phone and by looking at a photo. Sometimes callers are distraught, panicking and or hysterical. It’s Not always a snake.

Not always a snake, plastic snake.

Eastern Egg, suspected snake egg.

Over the years I have hundreds of calls that turn out to be everything but a snake. From PVC pipe, weed matting, rusty reinforcing mesh, rusty pipes, rope the list goes on. Eggs that are suspected to be snake eggs and turn out to be hidden easter eggs. Another very common call is for Plasticus fakeasnaka, the humble plastic toy snake.

Suspected snake in backyard.

Not always a Snake, this one is definitely rubber.

There are some that are very lifelike in colour and scale pattern. They seem to get a dusty and weathered beaten patina when left outside for years. To a trained Snake Catcher these can be picked a mile away as a fake. Even diagnosed over the phone from a dodgy photo. Snake phobias are a very common worldwide. Phobias generally need some professional help to overcome. Often a snake catcher can reassure the caller that they are not in danger.

 https://snakecatchermelbourne.com.au/melbourne-snakes-faq/snake-on-my-property-what-to-do/

Quite often a phobia can make people see, hear and think of objects as something entirely different to what they actually are. A few memorable examples that I can remember, are a clump of bulbs that were dug up and piled into a corner only to be seen as a snake a few hours later. This photo was sent to me at 11 pm on a Friday night. I was intrigued and thought it must have been a Tiger Snake,  https://snakecatchermelbourne.com.au/melbourne-snakes-faq/snakes-of-melbourne/tiger-snake/, the large facility is in Eltham and backs onto the Diamond Creek. 

Bulbs, suspected to be a snake.

Lizards not always Snakes.

Another common call is for Blue Tongue lizards, common throughout Melbourne but not often seen. They are generally elusive but can be seen basking in the sun or searching for snails or a breeding partner. Callers often hear some rustling or a quick glimpse of a tail or as they describe a large head.

Lower Plenty Lace Monitor Varanus varius. http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/reptiles/lizards/lace-monitor/

Blue Tongue Lizard, Yallambie backyard, suspected of being a snake. https://www.facebook.com/snakeremovalmelbourne/

Melbourne Snakes in search for food are on the hunt. Melbourne’s very cold winter, record breaking frosts and lack of decent rainfall have made life a bit tough. Everyone is doing it tough coming into spring. Plants are suffering and that has a flow on effect through the food chain. When rainfall is low, flower production is less abundant, insect numbers are lower, animals reproduction rates are less prolific. Everything has to work harder to get a feed and sometimes search desperately to find food. My own winter/early spring crop of vegetables suffered. I refused to water them, in the hope of a decent downpour or two.

Warrandyte Tiger Snake

Eltham Snake removal

Over the last week I have received heaps of calls about snake sighting’s. Spring is the time when Melbourne snakes as well as all reptiles become active. https://snakecatchermelbourne.com.au/melbourne-snakes-faq/snakes-of-melbourne/ Unfortunately I have witnessed at least 10 Blue Tongue Lizards that have been ran over. There were two in my own street. It’s really sad that they end up this way. I see a lot of animals end up this way whilst on the road going to snake call out jobs.

Eltham Tiger Snake

Kangaroo Ground Copperhead

Snake activity

One particular day Eastern Brown Snakes were sited all over Melbourne, most quickly disappearing frantically in search of a rodent or two. When this happens there is no point calling a Snake Catcher out for a search. It will most likely waste the catchers time and your money. 

https://snakecatchermelbourne.com.au/melbourne-snake-removal/

Tiger Snakes have been active almost every day and a couple in the dark at night. I have also had a few run ins with Copperheads. I have made one interesting observation this season. Usually snakes caught in September and October have a bulge in their stomach. I haven’t witnessed that in many snakes so far, they are hungry. 

https://www.facebook.com/snakeremovalmelbourne/

Melbourne Snake Season has started off slowly this year. Spring temperatures have been inconsistent and readings above 18 degrees have been uncommon. It is only a matter of time until this changes. Once we have some sunny days above 18, snakes across Melbourne become active.

Snakes will come out basking not far from where they spent their winter slumber. Once charged up by the sun’s ultraviolet rays they will be very keen to feed. Moving to wherever their is food, they will be on the search. During Melbourne Snake Season, I would recommend keeping your dogs on a leash if venturing into public reserves or parks. http://bundooravet.com/blog/snake-envenomation/     

Snake season in Melbourne runs from September to April, when temperatures are consistently above 18 degrees. Australian Snakes don’t hibernate and can become active at anytime.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-17/snake-warning-as-winter-ends-in-victoria/8814226

Melbourne snakes generally live on rodents, frogs and skink’s. For further information on the most common snakes of Melbourne please have a look at this comprehensive guide  Snakes of Melbourne 

 Most commonly seen moving around on properties when in search of food or during breeding season. They have no interest in humans and prefer to go undetected and keep their distance. If you see a snake on your property and are concerned follow these steps:

 Snake on my property – What to do?

Over the last few weeks I have been called to about half a dozen properties, most snakes have not been venturing very far. A few snakes have also been disturbed over the winter months during construction or landscaping on properties.

Eastern Brown Snake Melbourne, Melbourne Snake Season.

This Eastern Brown Snake Eastern Brown Snake – Snakes of Melbourne was captured today from a construction site along a major bushland corridor. This company should be commended for their concern for saving and protecting our native fauna.

Eastern Brown Snake Melbourne, Melbourne Snake Season

https://www.facebook.com/snakeremovalmelbourne/

http://wildmelbourne.org/articles/2015/9/30/suburban-serpents-be-aware-not-alarmed

Another very busy Snake season across Melbourne’s Northern and Eastern suburbs. Numbers have been on par and above previous years. I think its to do with people knowing the Snake Removal procedure when a snake is sighted. Also people are becoming more environmentally and ethically aware. Most customers care about the environment. They realize every living thing is important in a healthy ecosystem.

You can see the standard Snake Sighting procedure on the first page of this website.

Snake on my property – What to do?

The usual species have been active. Tiger Snakes taking 1st position, Eastern Brown no 2 and closely followed by the good old Copperhead. So nothing out of the ordinary. I really enjoyed this year and got to meet some interesting people and had some equally memorable captures.

Warrandyte Brown Snake 12 years Snake Removal in Melbourne

An Eastern Brown Snake captured from a Warrandyte property.

Snakes of Melbourne

This is my 12th year as a Melbourne Snake Catcher undertaking Snake Removal. In that time I have learnt a lot through trial and error. In particular snakes habits, what they are likely to do and the way they behave. Generally snakes behaviour is quite predictable, however, sometimes they can be puzzling. Catching and handling snakes in the wild and in suburbia is a lot different to dealing snakes in captivity. Most wild snakes encountered in Melbourne backyards are adult. They have honed their skills in survival and are generally good at avoiding detection. Quite often when searching for food or mates, they just pass through. Snakes don’t want to be anywhere near people or pets. Snakes just want to be left alone. Most backyards are too noisy and busy for a snake to feel safe. If you see a snake on your property on a number of occasions and feel uneasy call a Snake Catcher for Snake Removal.

Snakes around Melbourne active over warmer months. Another busy season around Melbourne.

Tiger Snake Removal

Tiger Snake Diamond Creek.

Snakes have been on the move for the last 2 months, quiet often they travel through suburban backyards. Generally this is in search of food, for a mate or new territory to colonize. Generally if none of these things are available they will stay temporarily and move on.

All Melbourne snake species are known to explore, particularly the Tiger Snake and the Eastern Brown Snake.

There are instances when these particular species will stay for a prolonged period. The reason for this is the presence of food, shelter and where they feel safe.

Food

Often larger snakes seem to favor rodents as a major part of their diet. There is often an abundance of mice and rats which inhabit our properties. Rodents are attracted to our yards and homes because there is also a good food supply for them. Rodents are attracted to compost bins, vegetable patches, fruit trees and any other grains or cereals that we keep on our premises.

Another major food source is frogs, if you have ponds, dams or boggy areas these will be attractive to snakes. Trying to minimize any of these factors will lessen the chances of snakes hanging around.

If you are like me and enjoy growing fruit, vegetables and regularly compost, eliminating any of these factors won’t be a high priority. However, I do recommend a rodent baiting program on your property, to keep introduced rodent numbers down.

Get professional help if unsure or buy some rodent poison and read the instructions carefully.

Copperhead Hurstbridge.

Shelter

To feel safe, snakes require somewhere to hide particularly at night and the extreme heat of the day.  Snakes shelter is generally under solid objects. Boulders, retaining walls, concrete slabs, timber, tin or any rubbish sitting on the ground are suitable. Minimizing these were practical this will make snakes passing through feel unsafe and in turn move on.

Some recent snake captures from Melbourne properties

Tiger Snake Eltham.

Snake catcher melbourne

Eastern Tiger Snake- Notechis scutatus

This is the most common snake through the inner and outer suburbs of Melbourne. Tiger Snakes around Melbourne range extends from inner city suburbs of Alphington, Fairfield and Northcote, Bayside suburbs of Williamstown, Port Melbourne and Spotswood. As the range fans out through the outer suburbs population size seems to increase. Their favoured habitat and food sources are more plentiful the further out from the city. From Ivanhoe to Wonga Park and North East all the way to Kinglake.

Frequent areas that I am called out to catch and relocate this species is suburbs parallel and adjacent to our major creeks and rivers. The Yarra River, Plenty River, Diamond Creek and the Merri Creek are all significant wildlife corridors. These areas provide the most suitable habitat for this species. Moist environments are the preferred. Tiger Snake inhabit not only streams but other watercourses such as lakes, dams and swamps. They are also found away from water sources.

The Eastern Tiger Snake is the most likely snake people will see on their property. Whilst out in parkland and reserves they are often seen. Commonly seen at suburban golf courses and parks such as Westerfolds Park and Birrarung Park. Often seen basking on the sunny edge of paths and tracks. When disturbed will quickly move back into heavy cover.

Wild Tiger Snakes captured and removed from Melbourne Properties

It is usually easily recognised by its distinct banding. Their colouration is quite variable including black, grey, blue grey, brown, light brown and yellow orange. The belly is pale usually, white, cream and yellowish.

Sometimes they are often misidentified. I am quite often called for a suspected snake on a property and it turns out to be a Blue-Tongued lizard. Bluey’s have very similar markings and colouration to a Tiger Snake. As most people know Blue-Tongues Lizards are harmless and a handy addition in the home garden for snail and slug control.

Tiger Snakes are known for their impressive threat display when cornered or provoked. They typically flatten their head and raise it on an angle as can be seen above. This response is to warn off potential threats, they sometimes hiss and strike if the threat continues to disturb them. It must be remembered that this display of aggression only occurs as self-defence by the snake. If given the chance snakes will always move away quickly.

The video below shows this defence display and the way it quickly moves away response when released. The only time a person or animal is bitten by a Tiger Snakes is when the snake is picked up or continually cornered and provoked. The video demonstrates that when given the chance a Tiger Snake in Melbourne if given space will flee from danger.

Video of a snake release after removal from Building site