For most people, that doesn’t mean staying out of the bush, far from it. September is one of the best times of the year to get outdoors around our region. But whether you’re camping along the Murray, fishing from the riverbank, walking through the bush or simply cleaning up around the backyard, it pays to think about where a snake might be hiding before putting your hands or feet there.
Snakes are particularly worth watching for around long grass, fallen timber, piles of leaves and garden rubbish, wood heaps, sheds, rock piles and areas close to water. Riverbanks, wetlands, creeks and lakes can all provide the combination of shelter, water and food that snakes are looking for.
Around the Murray and Darling especially, it can be easy to become complacent. You might step over a log to reach a fishing spot, push through some long grass beside the river, grab a piece of firewood from a pile or reach underneath the boat or caravan without giving it much thought.
Those are exactly the situations where a little extra awareness can make a difference.
Snakes generally want nothing to do with people and will usually retreat when given the opportunity. Problems are much more likely to occur when a snake is surprised, stepped on, cornered or when someone tries to catch or kill it.
So if you see one, give it plenty of room and let it go on its way.
Around home, keeping grass down and removing piles of timber, rubbish, sheets of iron and other potential hiding places can also make the yard less attractive to snakes — particularly where those areas are also providing shelter for mice, frogs, lizards and other potential food.
And if you’re heading camping or fishing, a decent pair of enclosed shoes, a torch at night and simply looking before stepping over logs or reaching into long grass is a pretty easy precaution.
Most importantly, any suspected snake bite should be treated as a medical emergency. Call Triple Zero (000), keep the person as still as possible and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. Don’t wash, cut or suck the bite and definitely don’t go chasing the snake trying to identify it.
We share some pretty incredible country with plenty of wildlife, and snakes are part of it.
There’s no reason to stop enjoying the river, the bush or your favourite campsite as the weather warms up.
Just remember... snake season is getting underway, so have a look before you put your hands or feet somewhere a snake might already be calling home.