Are you worried about the surge of snake bite incidents? Here's what to do, according to experts
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As the sun beats down on the Australian landscape, backyards have become a bustling hub of wildlife activity.
Among these visitors are some of the world's most feared reptiles: snakes.
Before taking these slithery matters into your own hands, experts issue an urgent warning towards homeowners.
The rise in snake bite incidents has become a pressing concern in Australia, especially in areas like Queensland.
The state is home to over 120 species of snakes, including 20 species with lethal venom.
Recently, Queensland's hospitals saw a worrying uptick in snake bite cases.
Last December, emergency departments recorded a 10 per cent increase in snake bite incidents compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre reported a staggering 35 per cent year-on-year increase in calls related to snake bites.
Stuart McKenzie, a seasoned snake catcher, attributes this surge to habitat destruction and human error.
As urban life reaches natural environments, snakes have been forced into closer quarters with humans.
This change in environment could lead to more frequent and potentially deadly encounters.
McKenzie, who is part of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, also left a warning to Aussie homeowners.
'It is illegal to kill any snakes, and large fines may be incurred,' Stuart McKenzie stated.
'Snakes do not chase you, so don't use that as an excuse.
'Don't tell me you were trying to save your kids or your pets,' McKenzie added.
'If you have time to grab a shovel, you have time to move your loved ones to safety.'
According to McKenzie, snakes are defensive creatures by nature and will only attack when threatened.
McKenzie's experiences as a snake catcher also underscored the risks of untrained handling.
He recalled a recent incident where a snake bit a man as he tried to remove it from a playground.
According to McKenzie, the man mistook a venomous whipsnake for a harmless tree snake.
Fortunately, McKenzie was nearby to provide immediate assistance, but the situation could have quickly taken a turn for the worse.
In another harrowing example, a homeowner was bitten by the world's second-most venomous snake: the eastern brown snake.
The homeowner reportedly confused it with a non-venomous species.
These cases highlighted the importance of proper identification and the dangers of intervening without expertise.
The cruelty inflicted upon snakes also shook snake catchers like McKenzie, as he discovered a Coastal Carpet Python with a broken spine.
The python was allegedly attacked while consuming a wild possum.
'Now I am not sure why someone would do something like this. A snake eating a possum is a part of nature and happens quite regularly,' McKenzie clarified.
'There is no need to try and interfere, especially once the possum is dead and the snake is halfway through eating it.'
Queensland's snake season has extended beyond the typical summer months, with increased activity persisting into late autumn.
Queensland Health noted that the summer peak in snake encounters was larger and lasted longer than in previous years.
Despite reports of 'swarms of snakes', McKenzie emphasised that the real issue was the human-snake interactions driven by habitat loss.
It's crucial to stay informed and exercise caution during snake season.
If you encounter a snake at home, keep a safe distance and contact a professional snake catcher immediately.
Attempting to handle or kill a snake endangers you and your family and could violate the law.
Have you had any snake encounters at home? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's spread awareness about the right way to deal with these slithery creatures.
Among these visitors are some of the world's most feared reptiles: snakes.
Before taking these slithery matters into your own hands, experts issue an urgent warning towards homeowners.
The rise in snake bite incidents has become a pressing concern in Australia, especially in areas like Queensland.
The state is home to over 120 species of snakes, including 20 species with lethal venom.
Recently, Queensland's hospitals saw a worrying uptick in snake bite cases.
Wild snakes have found themselves in Aussie homes over the recent years. Image Credit: Pexels/Giulia Botan
Last December, emergency departments recorded a 10 per cent increase in snake bite incidents compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre reported a staggering 35 per cent year-on-year increase in calls related to snake bites.
Stuart McKenzie, a seasoned snake catcher, attributes this surge to habitat destruction and human error.
As urban life reaches natural environments, snakes have been forced into closer quarters with humans.
This change in environment could lead to more frequent and potentially deadly encounters.
McKenzie, who is part of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, also left a warning to Aussie homeowners.
'It is illegal to kill any snakes, and large fines may be incurred,' Stuart McKenzie stated.
'Snakes do not chase you, so don't use that as an excuse.
'Don't tell me you were trying to save your kids or your pets,' McKenzie added.
'If you have time to grab a shovel, you have time to move your loved ones to safety.'
According to McKenzie, snakes are defensive creatures by nature and will only attack when threatened.
McKenzie's experiences as a snake catcher also underscored the risks of untrained handling.
He recalled a recent incident where a snake bit a man as he tried to remove it from a playground.
According to McKenzie, the man mistook a venomous whipsnake for a harmless tree snake.
Fortunately, McKenzie was nearby to provide immediate assistance, but the situation could have quickly taken a turn for the worse.
In another harrowing example, a homeowner was bitten by the world's second-most venomous snake: the eastern brown snake.
The homeowner reportedly confused it with a non-venomous species.
These cases highlighted the importance of proper identification and the dangers of intervening without expertise.
The cruelty inflicted upon snakes also shook snake catchers like McKenzie, as he discovered a Coastal Carpet Python with a broken spine.
The python was allegedly attacked while consuming a wild possum.
'Now I am not sure why someone would do something like this. A snake eating a possum is a part of nature and happens quite regularly,' McKenzie clarified.
'There is no need to try and interfere, especially once the possum is dead and the snake is halfway through eating it.'
Queensland's snake season has extended beyond the typical summer months, with increased activity persisting into late autumn.
Queensland Health noted that the summer peak in snake encounters was larger and lasted longer than in previous years.
Despite reports of 'swarms of snakes', McKenzie emphasised that the real issue was the human-snake interactions driven by habitat loss.
It's crucial to stay informed and exercise caution during snake season.
If you encounter a snake at home, keep a safe distance and contact a professional snake catcher immediately.
Attempting to handle or kill a snake endangers you and your family and could violate the law.
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