Snake Encounters on the Rise Across Australia
"In the summer, snakes are encroaching on us, and in the winter, we're encroaching on them."
— Chris Williams, snake catcher and president of the Australian Herpetological Society
Snake catchers across Australia have reported a rise in encounters between humans and snakes in residential areas, driven by seasonal behavioral patterns and environmental factors. The reports cover incidents in New South Wales and Queensland, including snakes seeking shelter in buildings and an increased presence of hatchlings on properties.
Seasonal Behavior and Shelter-Seeking
Snake catcher Chris Williams, president of the Australian Herpetological Society and founder of Urban Reptile Removal, stated that during winter, snakes enter brumation, a state similar to hibernation in which metabolism slows while the animal remains semi-alert. Snakes in this condition seek warm shelter in building roofs and wall cavities, increasing the likelihood of encounters with humans.
Williams identified tradespeople, home renovators, and individuals entering holiday homes as those most likely to disturb snakes. Electricians working in roof spaces and workers removing roof tiles were noted as being at particular risk. He reported finding snakes in double-brick wall cavities, which he described as ideal environments for eastern brown snakes to lay eggs. In Werrington near Penrith, small brown snakes emerged from a wall cavity over a period of more than a week.
Incident at Brisbane Residence
In a separate incident in Brisbane, a resident named Rachel Bloor discovered a two-and-a-half-meter carpet python on her bed late Monday evening. According to Ms. Bloor, she initially mistook the weight for her dog but identified the snake upon touch. Her husband helped remove their dogs from the room, and Ms. Bloor then guided the snake out of the window. She stated that she was not afraid of the snake and speculated that it entered her second-story home through an open window.
Post-Breeding Season Activity in Queensland
Snake catchers in Southern Queensland reported increased snake activity following the breeding season and egg hatching. They attributed this increase to warmer weather conditions and new housing developments encroaching on bushland.
In Ipswich, residents Shane Hancock and Darren Degen found 16 carpet python eggs on their property after inadvertently disturbing a mother snake while clearing grass. According to reports, the mother snake sustained injuries from a whipper snipper and was later euthanized. Reptile rescue professionals collected the eggs for incubation, with the stated plan of releasing the hatchlings back onto the farm.
"Mother snakes typically incubate eggs in areas with long grass or vegetation during this period."
— Tiarnah Kingaby, snake catcher involved in the egg recovery
Public Safety Advice
Multiple snake catchers advised the public against interfering with snakes.
Williams warned that people often misidentify venomous species. He stated, "There have been plenty of tragic instances where people thought they knew what species they were looking at, and things haven't gone to plan." He added that venomous tiger snakes are frequently confused with harmless brown tree snakes. Most snakes found in roofs during winter are harmless pythons or tree snakes.
Kurt Whyte, an Ipswich-based snake catcher, advised individuals not to panic, harm, or attempt to catch snakes. He recommended observing the snake from a safe distance and contacting a professional. This advice also applies to the discovery of snake eggs, which can be safely removed for incubation and subsequent release by trained professionals.
"Approximately 90% of snake bite incidents are attributed to individuals interfering with the animals."
Both Ms. Kingaby and Mr. Whyte cautioned the public against attempting to move snakes independently. They cited a significant rise in snake bite incidents, with approximately 90% attributed to individuals interfering with the animals.