Brown Snake Season Arrives Earlier Than Expected, Experts Suggest Precautions

As the warm weather returns, snakes in Australia have started making regular appearances leaving the inhabitants petrified. These snakes are not habitually aggressive and don’t attack unless provoked. However, if bitten by a poisonous snake, the wound should be treated within 30 minutes to avoid otherwise fatal results.

The sightings of snakes are happening earlier than normal prompting the Australian Reptile Park to issue a warning about the slithery buddies. Deadly brown snakes that are reportedly responsible for the deadliest snake bite fatalities are coming out of hiding amid the rising mercury. Going by the reports of Mail Online, Australians have been asked to keep a watchful eye as the snakes are on the loose.

“It is out of the ordinary to see snakes this early, as we go into spring, it’s the season to brush up on your snake bite first and aid knowledge and ensure all Australians are doing what they can to coexist with our slithery friends,” Mail Online quoted the Australian Reptile Park’s Head of Reptiles, Daniel Rumsey as saying.

He further added, “All households should keep grass areas around houses low and well-maintained, Tin sheets or any household items like these that are piled up, can draw in heat providing a perfect man-made habitat for snakes, these areas provide a safe house for snakes as they sit in stealth mode awaiting prey to feed, and if startled they will defend through biting.”

According to Doctor Scott Burnett, a lecturer in animal ecology at the University of the Sunshine Coast told the ABC that summer season acts as a stimulator for snakes. He was quoted as saying, “ It just means that those warm nights, which are real trigger, are extending further and further into the year, we will see a much longer summer, and we know that summer is the time when most snakes and reptiles are active”.

Snakes are most likely to visit places that have a tin or wooden shed sprawling in the backyard as these absorb heat the most and can even make any wood or tin lying around their hideout. Furthermore, they can also lurk around any leaf or mulch piles.

The relatively smaller snakes retreat behind thick shrubs absorbing sufficient heat during the day which will keep them warm during the night. While the shrewd reptiles like to hide in cool places to avoid the heat and taking some precautionary measures can ward them off from attacking people.