by Stuart McKenzie
Director of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7
Snakes are just a part of life here on the Sunshine Coast. As the Sunshine Coast continues to grow and develop, snakes have been forced to move from bushland areas into suburbia to try and survive. The fear of snakes is still a major part of many people’s lives however more and more people are learning to respect them and even live alongside them which is great. Snakes play a pivotal role in our ecosystems and whether you like them or not, it’s always best to educate yourself and learn about snakes and you will realise that they mean humans no harm at all.
The main highly venomous snake we catch here on the Sunshine Coast is the Eastern Brown snake. It’s regarded by many to have the second most toxic venom out of any land dwelling snake in the world, making it potentially dangerous, but only if provoked. You see if you leave snakes alone they will leave you alone. Approx. 95% of snake bites occur when someone is trying to catch or kill a snake.
On average only two or three people die from snake bites in Australia every year from hundreds and hundreds of bites. The most common snakes you will encounter here on the Sunshine Coast are Carpet Pythons and Tree snakes, both of which are not dangerous at all.
Having a nice yard in which wildlife can make use of is so important. There are however situations where snakes and your kids or pets can’t co-exist in a completely safe manner and it’s best that the snake is relocated to a more appropriate area of bushland.
If there is an opportunity for you to have a resident Python or another species of snake safely co-exist with you in your yard then that is fantastic. If you ever have a snake in your yard and are wanting it relocated or are after some advice, please give your local snake catcher a call.