By ALENA HIGGINS
SNAKES are slithering into suburbia in search of food and mates as startled passerbys found out last week when they were confronted by a big brown near Warwick’s Harvey Norman centre.
Sightings of the legless reptiles spike at this time of year as hordes wake from winter hibernation, eager to fill their bellies and begin breeding.
Warwick’s own snake catcher, Lyn Gynther, has already responded to 17 calls for help this season and said the sightings of a big brown in the CBD was not unheard of.
“The eastern brown is a notorious suburban dweller and is not scared of people,” Ms Gynther said.
“They’re very adaptable.”
If people come face to face with a snake, it is important to back away, she said.
“Do not approach them and definitely don’t try killing them as that is when people are most likely to get bitten.
“Clean up your yard as best you can, keep your lawns mowed and shut your doors as they will come inside.”
Residents should wear appropriate clothing (long sleeves, long pants, gloves, socks and boots) when gardening and if bitten, apply a compression bandage and call triple-zero immediately while keeping their heart rate down.
The warning comes after a 10-year-old New South Wales boy was airlifted from Warwick Hospital to Brisbane’s Mater Children’s Hospital on Thursday night following a snake bite.
Details of the type of snake, where and how the bite occurred have not been released.
When asked if he had been discharged, a Mater spokeswoman could only say he was no longer at the hospital.
Snake breeding season usually extends from late October to February.
Anyone who needs assistance removing a snake from their property can call Ms Gynther on 4664 8476 or 0401 487 976.
