Tasmania has only three varieties - tiger, copperhead and white-lipped. All have the capability of inflicting a poisonous and potentially life threatening bite and should be treated with the utmost respect. Snakes do not view a human as prey. In fact, by standing perfectly still in their presence you will attract no more interest from them than any other large object, such as a tree or large rock. So, if you do see a snake, stand still and it will most likely leave you alone.
Facts about Tasmanian snakes
* They are not necessarily more aggressive during mating season (spring).
* They are naturally shy and will only defend themselves if threatened or cornered.
* The best way to discourage them from your property is to maintain a clean environment and avoid leaving rubbish around that may attract rats and mice, the main diet of tiger snakes.
* Water features may attract copperheads as their favourite diet is frogs and skinks.
* Copperheads are the most common snakes found in the West Tamar area.
* One snake in your yard does not mean there are more nearby, or that it lives there - it may just be passing through.
* Using milk to entice a snake does not work as they do not drink it naturally - you're better off using it in a cup of tea while waiting inside for help.
Remember that snakes are an important part of our ecology. Consider the impact of removing one tiger snake between October and April, even if it ate just one mouse a week and half of those were female (mice can breed every 30 to 40 days, six is the average litter which, in turn, can reproduce within 2-3 months) - 1 snake x 1 mouse per week for 30 weeks = 30 mice.
If half are female - 15 x 6 (offspring) x (7 months) = 630 mice, not even taking into account the offspring breeding. That's at least 630 more mice in the area for every snake removed over the summer months!
Should a snake visit your house, our Animal Management Officers have the equipment and training to remove and release it safely into a suitable area. Contact council reception on 6323 9300 and an officer will attend as soon as possible. Alternatively you can call Reptile Rescue on 0407 565 181
Thanks to Ian Norton from the
Queen
Victoria
Museum
for providing the information in this article
