Hands full of snakes
A WILDLIFE management business has revealed it removes at least two snakes daily from Townsville homes or businesses.
Hands On Wildlife, run by Dan Bamblett and Jackie Hasling, has been particularly busy this year for snake relocation call- outs.
“With the drier conditions we’ve had, snakes are moving in a bit closer mostly for water and food around our homes,” Ms Hasling said.
“This year has been busy even through the cooler months, but it definitely has picked up as the weather has warmed up.”
Ms Hasling urged residents not to try catching snakes themselves and if anyone suspects they have been bitten to seek immediate medical help.
“If you see a snake, keep an eye on it from a safe distance and give a snake catcher a ring,” she said.
“There’s a great network of snake catchers in Townsville who offer their services for free or at very low cost, so it’s easy to get someone who knows what they’re doing to safely relocate the snake.
“You’re most at risk if you’re trying to catch or kill the snake. Snakes are so fearful especially when someone is trying to hit them, so that can cause the defensive behaviour of striking.”
Most snake relocation call- outs have been for carpet pythons or tree snakes, which are not dangerous to humans, however, venomous eastern browns and less black whips can also be found around Townsville.
“Townsville is home to over 30 snake species with great variations in colour and patterns and they are tricky to identify even for experts,” Ms Hasling said.
“People are respecting snakes a lot more, and we’re so lucky in Townsville that we have quite a few experts to call if you do see a snake.
“We do live right in the middle of snake country so we need to be aware, not afraid.”
Earlier this month, the Townsville Hospital revealed it recorded 58 snake bite- related emergency department presentations between May 1 and October 31 in 2018.
The number of presentations was more than double that for the same time period last year.
Emergency department director Luke Lawton urged anyone who suspected they had been bitten by a snake to get to a hospital immediately.