Potentially fatal danger hides in this Aussie’s backyard
- Replies 3
Backyards are usually a safe space for families to enjoy some quality time together.
However, the tranquillity of a family's backyard in Greenbank, Queensland, was recently shattered when a hidden danger was discovered lurking among the rocks of their garden retaining wall.
The danger? An extremely venomous eastern brown snake, a creature that can easily go unnoticed due to its remarkable ability to blend into its surroundings.
The incident served as a stark reminder to all Australians of the potential hazards that can be present in our backyards and the importance of staying vigilant.
The image of the backyard, at first glance, reveals nothing more than a rocky retaining wall.
However, upon closer inspection, the deadly eastern brown snake can be seen nestled between the rocks, its presence barely discernible.
This chilling discovery was made by the homeowners after their pet dog had a close encounter with the reptile.
Snake catcher Brandon Wilkinson was summoned to the property to deal with the unexpected visitor.
According to Wilkinson, the snake had sought refuge in the retaining wall after being disturbed by what it thought was a predator, a common behaviour among snakes.
'Snakes aren't territorial, they don't live in one specific place. So most of the time, if they get disturbed they will go into retaining walls, concrete slabs, garden beds, just somewhere they can get some cover and hide away from us or dogs,' he explained.
Upon arrival, Wilkinson found the snake, a gravid female laden with eggs, hidden between the second and third rock on the top row of the wall.
The snake's gravid state likely limited her ability to retreat further into the wall, making her more visible than she would have preferred.
The photo of the snake's hiding spot was shared on a local snake catcher's Facebook page, challenging followers to 'spot the snake'.
The challenge proved difficult for many, highlighting the snake's impressive camouflage abilities.
Queensland-based snake catcher Dan Busstra further emphasised the importance of being aware of potential snake hiding spots in our gardens, such as overgrown gardens, long grass, and clutter.
They are also known to camouflage, which helps them hide from predators and sneak up on their prey.
'Some snakes will hide in places they have smelt an animal, and wait for it to hopefully return,' Busstra explained.
'Snakes don’t feel comfortable out in an open area. They tend to stay near things they can hide under.'
Busstra recently spotted a coastal carpet python high in a tree while exploring the Nambour area. The python's camouflage made it difficult to spot against the backdrop of the heavy bushland, further demonstrating the stealthy nature of these creatures.
Both snake catchers agreed that the best action when encountering a snake is to leave it alone.
'If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. If you see a snake, avoid it,' advised Busstra.
Wilkinson echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the snake.
This news comes after a vet from Greencross Vets Hospital, Dr Liam Donaldson, reported a concerning spike in dogs being bitten by snakes in recent weeks.
Dr Donaldson stated that his clinic, affiliated with the University of Melbourne in the city's southwest, treats up to five snake-bitten dogs daily, with 11 cases in just one weekend.
‘With the warmer weather snakes are more active, especially in the last fortnight we've been absolutely inundated,’ he added.
‘Keep the grass short,’ the doctor advised.
‘Cut back shrubs and bushes…and especially check the backyard shed just in case there [are] any snakes that have been curled up over the winter.’
You can read more about this news here.
Have you ever encountered a snake in your backyard? Share your experiences and tips for dealing with these creatures in the comments below.
However, the tranquillity of a family's backyard in Greenbank, Queensland, was recently shattered when a hidden danger was discovered lurking among the rocks of their garden retaining wall.
The danger? An extremely venomous eastern brown snake, a creature that can easily go unnoticed due to its remarkable ability to blend into its surroundings.
The incident served as a stark reminder to all Australians of the potential hazards that can be present in our backyards and the importance of staying vigilant.
A venomous snake was spotted hiding in the backyard of one Aussie family. Image source: Brisbane and Gold Coast Snake Catchers.
The image of the backyard, at first glance, reveals nothing more than a rocky retaining wall.
However, upon closer inspection, the deadly eastern brown snake can be seen nestled between the rocks, its presence barely discernible.
This chilling discovery was made by the homeowners after their pet dog had a close encounter with the reptile.
Snake catcher Brandon Wilkinson was summoned to the property to deal with the unexpected visitor.
According to Wilkinson, the snake had sought refuge in the retaining wall after being disturbed by what it thought was a predator, a common behaviour among snakes.
'Snakes aren't territorial, they don't live in one specific place. So most of the time, if they get disturbed they will go into retaining walls, concrete slabs, garden beds, just somewhere they can get some cover and hide away from us or dogs,' he explained.
Upon arrival, Wilkinson found the snake, a gravid female laden with eggs, hidden between the second and third rock on the top row of the wall.
The snake's gravid state likely limited her ability to retreat further into the wall, making her more visible than she would have preferred.
The photo of the snake's hiding spot was shared on a local snake catcher's Facebook page, challenging followers to 'spot the snake'.
The challenge proved difficult for many, highlighting the snake's impressive camouflage abilities.
Queensland-based snake catcher Dan Busstra further emphasised the importance of being aware of potential snake hiding spots in our gardens, such as overgrown gardens, long grass, and clutter.
They are also known to camouflage, which helps them hide from predators and sneak up on their prey.
'Some snakes will hide in places they have smelt an animal, and wait for it to hopefully return,' Busstra explained.
'Snakes don’t feel comfortable out in an open area. They tend to stay near things they can hide under.'
Busstra recently spotted a coastal carpet python high in a tree while exploring the Nambour area. The python's camouflage made it difficult to spot against the backdrop of the heavy bushland, further demonstrating the stealthy nature of these creatures.
Both snake catchers agreed that the best action when encountering a snake is to leave it alone.
'If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. If you see a snake, avoid it,' advised Busstra.
Wilkinson echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the snake.
This news comes after a vet from Greencross Vets Hospital, Dr Liam Donaldson, reported a concerning spike in dogs being bitten by snakes in recent weeks.
Dr Donaldson stated that his clinic, affiliated with the University of Melbourne in the city's southwest, treats up to five snake-bitten dogs daily, with 11 cases in just one weekend.
‘With the warmer weather snakes are more active, especially in the last fortnight we've been absolutely inundated,’ he added.
‘Keep the grass short,’ the doctor advised.
‘Cut back shrubs and bushes…and especially check the backyard shed just in case there [are] any snakes that have been curled up over the winter.’
You can read more about this news here.
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