Spring time; cue Barry White

For many species, the months spanning spring and summer means one thing and one thing only, SEX. In the urban environment, it is generally during this time that snakes are spotted around our homes and towns and for many people, this appears to be a time of great anxiety. So, to start with, I want to address some important statistics and, I know, the word statistics frightens most people, in fact, statistics scare me more than snakes. Give me a fanged noodle any day, but I think these numbers can give you some perspective surrounding the pointy end of snakes. In a study conducted over a ten- year period, Australia had 254 deaths related to animals. Considering Australia has some pretty scary looking spiders, some of the world’s most venomous snakes, and plenty of fresh water and marine animals that we think might bite our faces off if we aren’t looking, we might be lead to believe that these creatures of our nightmares are responsible. But, think again. The animal that topped this list, with 77 deaths was in fact horses; second on the list, with 33 deaths were cows and the biggest shocker; in third place, our beloved pooch, with 27 deaths, with attacks occurring predominantly on children and the elderly. Sharks and bees came in at a tie with 16 deaths (daaaa da, daaaa da, da, da, da, da, da…you get the idea) and in seventh place (drum roll please) snakes with 14 deaths. This is on average 2-3 deaths a year from snake bite. Now, I hope I haven’t caused you to wrap yourself in bubble wrap and never leave the house again, I was trying to do the exact opposite. The chances of being killed by an animal in Australia, especially a snake, is very rare.

Now, this brings me back to animal lovin’. Snakes become less active during winter (brumation) and once the weather starts warming up, they become more active and start thinking about where to find food and get laid. It is during this time that we are most likely to cross paths with the slithery little serpent. They have no interest in you (sorry if you thought this story was all about you) but you are not food, and well, I don’t think they find you very attractive either (again, sorry). Most female snakes in temperate zones start to ovulate (release an egg) in late spring and mating occurs around this time, usually in November. Depending on the species of snake, some give birth to live young (Viviparous) whilst others lay eggs (oviparous). The egg layers such as the eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) will generally lay their eggs a month after mating but the live bearers such as the red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus), give birth approximately three- months post ovulation, generally in late summer/early autumn.

Now, I don’t want anyone to panic. The chances of you coming across a snake is very slim. Snakes are very secretive creatures and they are far more scared of you, than you are of it. If you do happen to stumble across an unsuspecting snake just leave it alone. If given the room, it will go one way, and you can go the other. If the snake is around your property and you’d still like it to be removed, please call a professional snake catcher. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to move a snake.

Please check out the blog for references and the link to the above- mentioned study if you’d like further reading. Also, continue following this page as the next article I will discuss further what to do and not what to do if you spot a snake.

And remember snakes have feelings too. :)

References:

Shine, R. (1998). Australian snakes: a natural history. Rev ed. Chatswood, Australia: Reed New Holland

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2016/03/here-are-the-animals-really-most-likely-to-kill-you-in-Australia/

Photo credit: Rob Ambrose