Snakes get frisky
Urban areas such as Smithfield and Cairns have recorded the highest numbers of possible snake bites over the past five years. Queensland Ambulance Service records show staff were called to 66 possible snake bite incidents in Smithfield and 55 in Cairns. Mossman, Edmonton and Malanda also recorded high numbers. Innisfail and Thursday Island recorded the least with one incident and Babinda, just two.
URBAN areas such as Smithfield and Cairns have recorded the highest numbers of possible snake bites over the past five years.
Queensland Ambulance Service records show staff were called to 66 possible snake bite incidents in Smithfield and 55 in Cairns.
Mossman, Edmonton and Malanda also recorded high numbers.
Innisfail and Thursday Island recorded the least with one incident and Babinda, just two.
The data comes as snake breeding season gets underway in the Far North.
Cairns Snake Catchers owner Matt Hagan said most residents called him to removed males which were fighting in roofs.
“The males are generally the ones making all the noise,” he said.
“There is plenty of snake activity at the moment and any area of housing which is fringing rainforest on the edge of suburbia are in the prime zones for snake activity.
“Sometimes you do five to eight calls in a night.
Generally, most of the activity occurs at night-time, but sometimes it extends into the day.”
While few venomous snakes had been caught so early in the breeding season, Mr Hagan said above-average minimum temperatures had “kept snake activity ticking along” during winter.
“We are definitely expecting a hot build-up to summer with plenty of snake activity to come,” he said.
Residents are advised to keep children and pets away from any snakes which may venture into or around the house and try to confine the snake to a room or cupboard.
Never provoke or disturb a snake and do not try to kill the snake.
In the event of a snake bite, call 000, apply a pressure immobilising bandage to the entire limb and keep the patient still.