Victoria is home to some of the most venomous and deadliest snakes in the world. Melbourne is home to approximately seven of these deadly species of snakes and they can all be found within a 50 km radius of its city centre. These snakes are widespread throughout the south-eastern part Australia and they all belong to the family: Elapidae. The seven most commonly found species around Melbourne are:
Copperhead (lowland) Austrelaps superbus
Eastern Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus
Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus
Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis
Small-eyed Snake Cryptophis nigrescens
White-lipped Snake Drysdalia coronoides
Little Whip Snake Unechis flagellum
Snakes are protected under the wildlife Act 1975. Do not attempt to kill a snake; it is illegal, and you are more likely to get hurt.
All of these species can be found in reasonable numbers throughout Melbourne"s suburbs. The Copperhead, Eastern Tiger and Eastern Brown snakes are all highly venomous and deadly snakes that will attack when feeling threatened and have all claimed numerous victims. Deaths have been recorded from the bites of the Small-eyed and Red-bellied Black snakes, but in all cases have been in exceptional circumstances but should still be treated as potentially dangerous.
The White Lipped andLittle Whip Snakes will inflict a very painful bite but have venoms too mild to be more than a minor irritant if one is bitten.
Most snake bites occur when members of the public or inexperienced unlicensed handlers attempt to catch or kill these unwanted visitors. SnakesareDeadly.If you have pets (dogs or cats) or children under the age of 10 you should have any snake situation attended to immediately. Children and pets are the most likely bite victims and if bitten are also at the highest risk of dying. If you sight a snake in your garden or place of business Do Not approach it, call a professional snake handler. Snakes can move faster than a small dog and they will either flee or chase you when feeling threatened.
Don"t risk it.
Keep a safe distance from the snake (more than 3 metres)
Try not to lose sight of it
Call us immediately and we will dispatch one of our Expert, Licenced technicians to deal with the situation.
*Note:If itissafe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
Treatment details and cost : $280.00 + gst
This charge is for our attendance regardless of success of capturing; however we will make every endeavour to locate and remove the invading snake from your property. A careful and targeted inspection of your property, investigating every possible hiding place is essential; this is why we have technicians that solely specialize in the thorough detection and eradication of all harbourage areas and control of all species of Snakes. We believe that success is best achieved through practiced experience and our technicians deal with Snakes on a day to day basis.
Due to their remarkably quick breeding habits, it is important to identify and deal with a Snake problem before it gets out of control.
We offer reliable, cost effective service that complies with all legislative requirements.
We guarantee to be in touch with you within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) to arrange an appointment.
A specialist Reptile technician will visit and will carry out a thorough assessment of your problem and wherever possible retrieve and remove invading snake.
Dealing specifically with Snakes on a day-to-day basis gives us a unique insight into the intricate characteristics of these dangerous animals.
Pest Signs... What to look for...
Most snake sightings will occur suddenly and by chance when you least expect it and may be a frightening experience for many individuals. Sometimes the first indication that a snake has arrived is when the alarm is raised, after a bite has occurred, so remember, after locating the animal:
Keep a safe distance from the snake (more than 3 metres)
Try not to lose sight of it
Call us immediately and we will dispatch one of our Expert, Licenced technicians to deal with the situation.
*Note: If it is safe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
More Information
Some species of snakes engage in the practice of "nocturnal road basking" in order to facilitate the development of their embryos or eggs. This can occur when the ground temperature of the road is significantly warmer than that of the open (exposed) rock outcrops or ground soil temp in the adjacent bush.
Most snakes cannot maintain a constant body temperature on their own and require the help of their surrounding environment. They utilize the suns warmth to regulate their body temp to around 300 C. This practice is called "Thermoregulation".
Snakes are generally territorial by nature, so it"s unusual to find more than one inhabiting the same site at the same time. However once a snake has been removed from a good nesting site, the vacancy is left open for another snake who will eventually take up residence.
Most Snake"s utilize the powerful chemicals in their venom to help break down the prey in their stomachs. The warmth from the sun also aids this digestive process
Snakes detect their prey by sensing movement and smell. They do this by flicking their tongues in and out to taste the air through a special organ located on the roof of their mouths called the "Jacobson"s Organ".
Bite marks from some snakes may not be immediately visible to the naked eye. In some cases, they might not appear until around up to 30 minutes after striking has occurred.
Some species of snake have extremely toxic venom that contains powerful neurotoxins and blood coagulants. A bite can cause a person to suffer diarrhoea, dizziness, renal failure, convulsions, paralysis and cardiac arrest.
Preferring to stay within the safe cover of vegetation, the majority of Snakes tend to be found in sunny places and gardens with a northerly aspect where they will bask in the open to warm their bodies.
EASTERN TIGER SNAKE
(Notechis scutatus)
No two Eastern Tiger snakes look the same, they are a thick-bodied solid snake that is highly variable in colour ranging through olives, yellows, browns, reddish - greys or even black, and come marked with or without contrasting cross bands of varying intensity. The average adult length of an Eastern Tiger is about 1.3 metres with the longest recorded specimens coming in at around 2.2 meters. Common throughout all areas of Melbourne, this snake occurs in large numbers in the low lying swamp lands to the west and south-west of the city.
More Australians have died as a result of bites from this snake than any other on record due to its presence in large numbers in heavily populated areas, and of course it's deadly neurotoxic venom. This snake is the 5th most venomous land snake in the entire world.
There is an unpredictable streak in the Tiger Snake's nature leading to a disproportionately large number of experienced snake handlers falling victim to this snake's bite. Given a choice the Eastern Tiger Snake will flee if approached but when cornered it will flatten its neck and body, lunging foreword striking its prey as soon as the opportunity arises.
Despite the wide range of areas occupied by this snake, their preferred habitats are those with large numbers of frogs, such as river flats, ponds, dams, grassy areas adjacent to beaches and reservoirs or any other large body of water. Tiger snakes move through water with ease and can be found climbing trees and shrubs to surprising heights. It is not uncommon to find them on the roof of a house; in fact, they will climb almost anything anywhere in search of food.
Tiger snakes are usually found during both night and daytime hours but become predominately nocturnal in hot weather, with frogs being the staple component of their diet. Mating of Tiger Snakes usually takes place in early spring (September to November), and an average of 35 young are produced in late summer. Newborns measure about 18 cm, often having distinct bands that fade in later life.
EASTERN BROWN SNAKE
(Pseudonaja textilis)
The Eastern Brown snake is highly venomous and extremely dangerous to humans and pets. Brown Snake venom is extremely toxic (the 2nd most venomous land snake in the world), and this snake can be easily agitated. They are capable of rapid movement and must be regarded as highly dangerous. When aroused, the Brown Snake will hold its neck high, slightly flattened in an S-shape, and strike at it's aggressor at every opportunity. It will even chase off a person who has aroused it.
The Eastern Brown is a large and slender snake, uniform in colour they are typically tan to brown on top, but may range from near white, through various shades of brown to jet black. Specimens local to Melbourne have black bands on the head which fade with age. The average length of an adult Eastern brown is 1.5 metres with the largest recorded specimens being 2.4m. They are found in all areas around Melbourne (excluding higher altitudes), and are very common throughout the drier regions.
This snake is active both day and night and can be found in all types of habitats, but is most common in open woodland and dry grassy habitats. It is active at relatively high temperatures compared to other snakes. Brown Snakes are ground dwellers commonly found sheltering in hollow logs, rock crevices, disused animal burrows and under rubbish piles around buildings. Adult males are usually larger than females and their varied diet incudes mice and rats but they also feed on small vertebrates, other reptiles and frogs. Brown snakes can dislocate their jaws to swallow their prey and their skin can also stretch to allow food to pass into their stomach"s.
Mating usually occurs in spring and a single Eastern Brown female will produce a clutch of 20 to 40 leathery eggs which hatch about eighty days later. The young hatchlings measure about 27 cm. The Eastern Brown Snake is responsible for more deaths than any other snake in Australia.
COPPERHEAD
(Austrelaps superbus)
Highly variable colourings occur on the backs (top scales) of copperheads, ranging from yellows, browns, reds, greys or black. Some specimens of copperhead may or may not have a different coloured nape region, (on the back of the neck). The average adult Length is approximately 1.1m however some copperhead specimens have been recorded being as long as1.9m.
There are three types of copperhead snakes found in Australia, the one we commonly find in Melbourne is the Lowland Copperhead snake. This snake is not related to the 'American copperhead" which is an entirely different species of snake altogether. Copperheads are found near damp habitats such as streams and swampy areas around ponds, dams, canals, drainage ditches and along the sides of roads.
The venom of the Copperhead is a highly neurotoxic substance that is fatal to bite victims unless neutralised by antivenom. Keeping this in mind, Copperheads are considered to be among the less aggressive of the dangerous snake species, and usually flee if given the opportunity, however if cornered or agitated, this very fast moving snake will hiss and flatten the whole of its body before suddenly striking.
Copperheads are most common where their main food source (frogs) are abundant, however they also feed on other small vertebrates such as lizards, small mammals and smaller snakes. Copperheads display a great resistance to cold and will attack, cannibalize and eliminate other local snakes, leaving them the most dominant species in that area.
Males combat each other for partners during the breeding season and mating usually occurs in early spring with an average of fourteen live young being born around January to March. The young average 18 cm at birth and although Copperheads are usually active day and night, they tend to become exclusively nocturnal in hot weather.
RED-BELLIED BLACK SNAKE
(Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Implied by its name, the Red Bellied Black Snake has a glossy jet black topside with underside colouration ranging from white to red, and is usually reddest at its outer belly edges. The average adult length of the red bellied black snake is around 1.5 meters and the length of the longest recorded specimens are approximately 2.5 meters. Distributed throughout the coastal areas of South-eastern Australia and wetter parts of the Queensland coast, they are also found in and around the moister parts of Melbourne.
The Red-bellied Black Snake has killed people, and although it's venom is not as potent as its contemporaries, it is still to be considered a dangerously venomous species (this snake is not a pleasant one to be bitten by). Their bites contain strong hemotoxic and cytotoxic venom which have anticoagulant and myotoxic effects. Typical bite symptoms are severe local pain, swelling, nausea and general sickness.
When agitated and cornered, this snake may flatten its neck and raise its head in a Cobra-like fashion. It is active both day and night and most specimens are caught in the vicinity of water, which it may frequently enter in search of food.
These snakes will often enter rivers hiding from potential predators lowering their body temperature in the water slowing their metabolic and breathing rates sufficiently to allow them to remain totally submerged for extended periods of time until danger has passed.
Red bellied black snakes feed on reptiles (including other snakes), fish and small mammals, but frogs tend to dominate their diet, and this species won't hesitate to climb small trees and shrubs when searching for a food source. These snakes typically mate in spring and mid-summer with females giving birth to between eight to thirty live young, each measuring about 18 cm long.
SMALL-EYED SNAKE
(Cryptophis nigrescens)
Small-eyed snakes have average adult length of around 50cm, the longest recorded specimens in Victoria have been between 75 and 80cm long. These smoothly scaled nocturnal snakes can be found in the rocky areas north east of the city and some specimens have also been caught near suburban Dandenong. When aroused or agitated this snake will usually attempt to bite and may flatten its body while doing so.
Although considered to be a nocturnal species, Small-eyed snake specimens can be found during the day resting under the cover of man-made structures, particularly in the colder months. Small-eyed snakes are predominantly skink feeders, but have also been known to feed on geckoes and small frogs. Mating occurs in late autumn, winter and spring with two to eight young being born in late summer, usually measuring between 10-12 cm at birth.
WHITE-LIPPED SNAKE
(Drysdalia coronoides)
The colouration on the backs of this species is again highly variable, ranging from greys, greens,' reds, browns or even black. The average White lipped adult snake length is usually 40cm and the length of longest recorded specimens is 70cm. These snakes are commonly distributed throughout the cooler parts of New South Wales, Victoria (East and West) and all of Tasmania.
White lipped snakes are commonly found in the forested hilly parts of Melbourne"s suburbs, and when weather conditions are favourable they can be located sheltering underneath ground litter and rocks. The White lipped snake actively stalks its prey during both night time and daylight hours which mainly consists of small skinks, and when the weather cools their favoured hibernation site is inside water soaked logs resting in moist habitats.
Mating usually takes place in spring and about six young are produced from January through to early March and their newborns measure about 10 cm. Unlike most kinds of snake, White-lipped Snakes continue to feed throughout their pregnancy.
LITTLE WHIP SNAKE
(Unechis flagellum)
The average fully grown length of the Little Whip snake is around 40cm although some specimens have been recorded at lengths as long as 65cm. Around Melbourne, the Little Whip Snake is most commonly found in the rocky areas of the north and west of the city. The Little Whip Snake possess black markings on their head and is often mistaken for juvenile Brown Snakes. Believed to be nocturnal, Little Whip Snakes forage about for food as soon as night falls and most specimens are caught during the day hiding under cover, or in loose soil.
Not a very fast moving species, when discovered, this snake adopts a defensive pose, then in attempt to frighten off the aggressor, it raises the forepart of its body, expands its head and neck, and thrashes its body about in a whip-like fashion before retreating to cover. Mating usually starts in Autumn and extends through Winter, and between 2 - 4 young are produced in February. At birth, the Newborn Little Whip snakes measure between 12 and 14 cm in total length.
Pest Signs… Prevention Tips
Snake migrations naturally increase in summer as they are always on the lookout for new nesting sites. Even though it is physically impossible to stop snakes from entering a property, there are a number of measures we can adopt to discourage the snakes from staying. These measures can reduce the chance of snakes invading your property by more than 90% and any Snakes that arrive at your property will find it not to their liking will quickly move on.
Remove all overgrown weeds, creeping vegetation, agapanthus and blackberries from around the house.
Keep all yards tidy and clear from loose ground cover: sheets of metal, hard rubbish etc. as they provide great harbourages for snakes
Snakes love rock retaining walls especially where there are holes or other concealed entry points to water sources (such as a pool, pond or spa). Seal all the holes and gaps under the rocks.
Remove all overgrown vegetation from fence lines and along house walls creating an inspection zone, (this denies snakes access to hiding spots).
Try not to have large gaps between the entrance door and the floor of your premises. Snakes can easily fit under these gaps and enter your home without you knowing.
As is the case any type of pest animal if you want to eliminate the pest infestation, you first need to eliminate their food source, and in the case of most snakes that means Rodent control. We offer all of our client"s snake and rodent control package deals
First aid information:
If bitten on a limb, apply a pressure bandage, immobilise the limb and seek medical assistance immediately. Do not wash the wound, as the venom on the skin can be used to identify the appropriate antivenom.
Venom:
All snake venom should be considered as extremely dangerous and the individual chemical makeup of the venom varies from species to species. Venoms can contain powerful neurotoxins that affect the brain and nervous system. It can also contain coagulants that cause the blood to clot excessively, cause haemolysins that destroys the membrane of the red blood cells and myotoxins which cause severe muscle necrosis and paralysis including diaphragm paralysis (ceasing your ability to breathe).
These different toxins act simultaneously on the body and symptoms of a snake bite may or may not include:
Tingling
Numbness
Sweating
Rapid onset of breathing difficulties
Nausea
Vomiting
Red/brown urine.
Headache
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhoea
Muscle pain and weakness
(in some cases) Resulting in Death.
*Note:If itissafe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
EDUCATE AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
Keep your family and pets safe around snakes. Always remember, "prevention is always better than cure", and this doctrine has never been more relevant than ever when it comes to protecting your family against snakes.
Be sure to teach your children and family members this very important message. Use your common sense, if you see a snake, DO NOT TOUCH IT or go near it.
If you encounter a snake:
Use your common sense, DON"T PANIC, DO NOT TOUCH IT or go near it.
Don't try to kill a snake (snakes are protected under the wildlife Act 1975, it is illegal and you are more likely to get hurt).
DO NOT try to scare a snake away, if snakes feel threatened they may turn and attack before fleeing.
DO NOT try to capture the snake yourself, close encounters with stressed wildlife usually ends in disaster.
Keep children away from snakes, children and pets are among the most vulnerable individuals when snakes unexpectedly arrive.
Familiarise your children with the above safety points.
Commercial Information
We have an unbeaten, proven track record in commercial pest control. We provide our customers with the peace of mind that comes with dependable year-round guaranteed protection backed by results based service. If you require an immediate response to a current pest problem or perhaps you"re simply reassessing an existing strategy. Call us, we"re here to help you.
"A One size fits all" approach does not apply in pest control…
Based on a comprehensive assessment of your premises and factoring in its unique environmental conditions, we can develop a customised protection plan that suits your individual requirements.
Prevention of any pest problem is the ideal and achievable goal.
Our technicians can implement immediate, targeted control programs, in key harbourage areas, and advise you on proactive physical exclusion techniques. We also provide guidance and monitoring strategies that focus on environmental control methods that enable us to achieve these goals.
The identification of Snake "hot spots" through regular detailed monitoring is an integral part of any proactive eradication strategy.
Simply call 03 8840 9572 to speak with us directly or fill in the Contact Us form and we"ll respond to your enquiry in a timely fashion.
The treatment plan begins with a thorough inspection of the property establishing the particular species of Snake causing the problem and the location of their breeding and harbourage areas.
Stringent health and safety regulations apply to the control and management of Snake"s in business and commercial situations. Maintaining that control relies on regular monitoring, targeted strategies and effective communication between all stakeholders across the entire pest control process.
Nothing impacts on your reputation quite like an un-controlled pest infestation. No matter what industry you"re in we have a pest control solution for you. The exposure of your customers and staff to unhealthy and potentially dangerous pest situations can seriously compromise your business – and ultimately impact your bottom line. You"re hard earned and well-deserved reputation is everything and complacency can result in an outbreak that will tarnish the reputation of even the most trusted establishment.
Pests problems result in the following problems:
Production interruptions and costly delays
The spread of illness and disease
Contamination and loss of stock
Breach of health regulations
Destruction of materials and inventory
Damage to amenities
Decreased employee productivity and increased absenteeism
Negative customer experience
The control of Snakes is an integrated effort that involves removal of the snake, habitat and source eradication. This may include the application of insecticides to the vegetation sites that adult Snakes use for harbourage and breeding purposes.
Snake population control is dependent upon the availability of breeding habitats and the particulartargetspecies, as well as many other factors. Should you experience the presence of a snake in your working environment, contact us to discuss the options?
We hold public liability insurance of $20 million and professional indemnity insurance of $500,000 for your piece of mind. An insurance certificate is available on request.
Possum catchers are fully compliant with all the necessary statutory and mandatory requirements relating to the Wildlife Act 1975 and all our staff are fully trained in all aspects of the Occupational health and safety act's systems and controls.
We are licenced Type 1 Commercial Wildlife Controllers and have nationally recognised qualifications in Cert III Asset Maintenance as well as full accreditation in all pest management systems Cert IV General pest & Termite Management.
We also hold the following Industry Accreditations: EWP Operator licence – (Yellow Card - scissor and boom lift), Victorian Construction Induction - White Card, Working at Heights licenced, current accreditation Working with Children.
Snakes
Serpentes
Introduction
Victoria is home to some of the most venomous and deadliest snakes in the world. Melbourne is home to approximately seven of these deadly species of snakes and they can all be found within a 50 km radius of its city centre. These snakes are widespread throughout the south-eastern part Australia and they all belong to the family: Elapidae. The seven most commonly found species around Melbourne are:
Snakes are protected under the wildlife Act 1975. Do not attempt to kill a snake; it is illegal, and you are more likely to get hurt.
All of these species can be found in reasonable numbers throughout Melbourne"s suburbs. The Copperhead, Eastern Tiger and Eastern Brown snakes are all highly venomous and deadly snakes that will attack when feeling threatened and have all claimed numerous victims. Deaths have been recorded from the bites of the Small-eyed and Red-bellied Black snakes, but in all cases have been in exceptional circumstances but should still be treated as potentially dangerous.
The White Lipped and Little Whip Snakes will inflict a very painful bite but have venoms too mild to be more than a minor irritant if one is bitten.
Most snake bites occur when members of the public or inexperienced unlicensed handlers attempt to catch or kill these unwanted visitors. Snakesare Deadly. If you have pets (dogs or cats) or children under the age of 10 you should have any snake situation attended to immediately. Children and pets are the most likely bite victims and if bitten are also at the highest risk of dying. If you sight a snake in your garden or place of business Do Not approach it, call a professional snake handler. Snakes can move faster than a small dog and they will either flee or chase you when feeling threatened.
Don"t risk it.
*Note: If it is safe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
Treatment details and cost : $280.00 + gst
This charge is for our attendance regardless of success of capturing; however we will make every endeavour to locate and remove the invading snake from your property. A careful and targeted inspection of your property, investigating every possible hiding place is essential; this is why we have technicians that solely specialize in the thorough detection and eradication of all harbourage areas and control of all species of Snakes. We believe that success is best achieved through practiced experience and our technicians deal with Snakes on a day to day basis.
Pest Signs... What to look for...
Most snake sightings will occur suddenly and by chance when you least expect it and may be a frightening experience for many individuals. Sometimes the first indication that a snake has arrived is when the alarm is raised, after a bite has occurred, so remember, after locating the animal:
*Note: If it is safe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
More Information
EASTERN TIGER SNAKE
(Notechis scutatus)
No two Eastern Tiger snakes look the same, they are a thick-bodied solid snake that is highly variable in colour ranging through olives, yellows, browns, reddish - greys or even black, and come marked with or without contrasting cross bands of varying intensity. The average adult length of an Eastern Tiger is about 1.3 metres with the longest recorded specimens coming in at around 2.2 meters. Common throughout all areas of Melbourne, this snake occurs in large numbers in the low lying swamp lands to the west and south-west of the city.
More Australians have died as a result of bites from this snake than any other on record due to its presence in large numbers in heavily populated areas, and of course it's deadly neurotoxic venom. This snake is the 5th most venomous land snake in the entire world.
There is an unpredictable streak in the Tiger Snake's nature leading to a disproportionately large number of experienced snake handlers falling victim to this snake's bite. Given a choice the Eastern Tiger Snake will flee if approached but when cornered it will flatten its neck and body, lunging foreword striking its prey as soon as the opportunity arises.
Despite the wide range of areas occupied by this snake, their preferred habitats are those with large numbers of frogs, such as river flats, ponds, dams, grassy areas adjacent to beaches and reservoirs or any other large body of water. Tiger snakes move through water with ease and can be found climbing trees and shrubs to surprising heights. It is not uncommon to find them on the roof of a house; in fact, they will climb almost anything anywhere in search of food.
Tiger snakes are usually found during both night and daytime hours but become predominately nocturnal in hot weather, with frogs being the staple component of their diet. Mating of Tiger Snakes usually takes place in early spring (September to November), and an average of 35 young are produced in late summer. Newborns measure about 18 cm, often having distinct bands that fade in later life.
EASTERN BROWN SNAKE
(Pseudonaja textilis)
The Eastern Brown snake is highly venomous and extremely dangerous to humans and pets. Brown Snake venom is extremely toxic (the 2nd most venomous land snake in the world), and this snake can be easily agitated. They are capable of rapid movement and must be regarded as highly dangerous. When aroused, the Brown Snake will hold its neck high, slightly flattened in an S-shape, and strike at it's aggressor at every opportunity. It will even chase off a person who has aroused it.
The Eastern Brown is a large and slender snake, uniform in colour they are typically tan to brown on top, but may range from near white, through various shades of brown to jet black. Specimens local to Melbourne have black bands on the head which fade with age. The average length of an adult Eastern brown is 1.5 metres with the largest recorded specimens being 2.4m. They are found in all areas around Melbourne (excluding higher altitudes), and are very common throughout the drier regions.
This snake is active both day and night and can be found in all types of habitats, but is most common in open woodland and dry grassy habitats. It is active at relatively high temperatures compared to other snakes. Brown Snakes are ground dwellers commonly found sheltering in hollow logs, rock crevices, disused animal burrows and under rubbish piles around buildings. Adult males are usually larger than females and their varied diet incudes mice and rats but they also feed on small vertebrates, other reptiles and frogs. Brown snakes can dislocate their jaws to swallow their prey and their skin can also stretch to allow food to pass into their stomach"s.
Mating usually occurs in spring and a single Eastern Brown female will produce a clutch of 20 to 40 leathery eggs which hatch about eighty days later. The young hatchlings measure about 27 cm. The Eastern Brown Snake is responsible for more deaths than any other snake in Australia.
COPPERHEAD
(Austrelaps superbus)
Highly variable colourings occur on the backs (top scales) of copperheads, ranging from yellows, browns, reds, greys or black. Some specimens of copperhead may or may not have a different coloured nape region, (on the back of the neck). The average adult Length is approximately 1.1m however some copperhead specimens have been recorded being as long as1.9m.
There are three types of copperhead snakes found in Australia, the one we commonly find in Melbourne is the Lowland Copperhead snake. This snake is not related to the 'American copperhead" which is an entirely different species of snake altogether. Copperheads are found near damp habitats such as streams and swampy areas around ponds, dams, canals, drainage ditches and along the sides of roads.
The venom of the Copperhead is a highly neurotoxic substance that is fatal to bite victims unless neutralised by antivenom. Keeping this in mind, Copperheads are considered to be among the less aggressive of the dangerous snake species, and usually flee if given the opportunity, however if cornered or agitated, this very fast moving snake will hiss and flatten the whole of its body before suddenly striking.
Copperheads are most common where their main food source (frogs) are abundant, however they also feed on other small vertebrates such as lizards, small mammals and smaller snakes. Copperheads display a great resistance to cold and will attack, cannibalize and eliminate other local snakes, leaving them the most dominant species in that area.
Males combat each other for partners during the breeding season and mating usually occurs in early spring with an average of fourteen live young being born around January to March. The young average 18 cm at birth and although Copperheads are usually active day and night, they tend to become exclusively nocturnal in hot weather.
RED-BELLIED BLACK SNAKE
(Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Implied by its name, the Red Bellied Black Snake has a glossy jet black topside with underside colouration ranging from white to red, and is usually reddest at its outer belly edges. The average adult length of the red bellied black snake is around 1.5 meters and the length of the longest recorded specimens are approximately 2.5 meters. Distributed throughout the coastal areas of South-eastern Australia and wetter parts of the Queensland coast, they are also found in and around the moister parts of Melbourne.
The Red-bellied Black Snake has killed people, and although it's venom is not as potent as its contemporaries, it is still to be considered a dangerously venomous species (this snake is not a pleasant one to be bitten by). Their bites contain strong hemotoxic and cytotoxic venom which have anticoagulant and myotoxic effects. Typical bite symptoms are severe local pain, swelling, nausea and general sickness.
When agitated and cornered, this snake may flatten its neck and raise its head in a Cobra-like fashion. It is active both day and night and most specimens are caught in the vicinity of water, which it may frequently enter in search of food.
These snakes will often enter rivers hiding from potential predators lowering their body temperature in the water slowing their metabolic and breathing rates sufficiently to allow them to remain totally submerged for extended periods of time until danger has passed.
Red bellied black snakes feed on reptiles (including other snakes), fish and small mammals, but frogs tend to dominate their diet, and this species won't hesitate to climb small trees and shrubs when searching for a food source. These snakes typically mate in spring and mid-summer with females giving birth to between eight to thirty live young, each measuring about 18 cm long.
SMALL-EYED SNAKE
(Cryptophis nigrescens)
Small-eyed snakes have average adult length of around 50cm, the longest recorded specimens in Victoria have been between 75 and 80cm long. These smoothly scaled nocturnal snakes can be found in the rocky areas north east of the city and some specimens have also been caught near suburban Dandenong. When aroused or agitated this snake will usually attempt to bite and may flatten its body while doing so.
Although considered to be a nocturnal species, Small-eyed snake specimens can be found during the day resting under the cover of man-made structures, particularly in the colder months. Small-eyed snakes are predominantly skink feeders, but have also been known to feed on geckoes and small frogs. Mating occurs in late autumn, winter and spring with two to eight young being born in late summer, usually measuring between 10-12 cm at birth.
WHITE-LIPPED SNAKE
(Drysdalia coronoides)
The colouration on the backs of this species is again highly variable, ranging from greys, greens,' reds, browns or even black. The average White lipped adult snake length is usually 40cm and the length of longest recorded specimens is 70cm. These snakes are commonly distributed throughout the cooler parts of New South Wales, Victoria (East and West) and all of Tasmania.
White lipped snakes are commonly found in the forested hilly parts of Melbourne"s suburbs, and when weather conditions are favourable they can be located sheltering underneath ground litter and rocks. The White lipped snake actively stalks its prey during both night time and daylight hours which mainly consists of small skinks, and when the weather cools their favoured hibernation site is inside water soaked logs resting in moist habitats.
Mating usually takes place in spring and about six young are produced from January through to early March and their newborns measure about 10 cm. Unlike most kinds of snake, White-lipped Snakes continue to feed throughout their pregnancy.
LITTLE WHIP SNAKE
(Unechis flagellum)
The average fully grown length of the Little Whip snake is around 40cm although some specimens have been recorded at lengths as long as 65cm. Around Melbourne, the Little Whip Snake is most commonly found in the rocky areas of the north and west of the city. The Little Whip Snake possess black markings on their head and is often mistaken for juvenile Brown Snakes. Believed to be nocturnal, Little Whip Snakes forage about for food as soon as night falls and most specimens are caught during the day hiding under cover, or in loose soil.
Not a very fast moving species, when discovered, this snake adopts a defensive pose, then in attempt to frighten off the aggressor, it raises the forepart of its body, expands its head and neck, and thrashes its body about in a whip-like fashion before retreating to cover. Mating usually starts in Autumn and extends through Winter, and between 2 - 4 young are produced in February. At birth, the Newborn Little Whip snakes measure between 12 and 14 cm in total length.
Pest Signs… Prevention Tips
Snake migrations naturally increase in summer as they are always on the lookout for new nesting sites. Even though it is physically impossible to stop snakes from entering a property, there are a number of measures we can adopt to discourage the snakes from staying. These measures can reduce the chance of snakes invading your property by more than 90% and any Snakes that arrive at your property will find it not to their liking will quickly move on.
First aid information:
If bitten on a limb, apply a pressure bandage, immobilise the limb and seek medical assistance immediately. Do not wash the wound, as the venom on the skin can be used to identify the appropriate antivenom.
Venom:
All snake venom should be considered as extremely dangerous and the individual chemical makeup of the venom varies from species to species. Venoms can contain powerful neurotoxins that affect the brain and nervous system. It can also contain coagulants that cause the blood to clot excessively, cause haemolysins that destroys the membrane of the red blood cells and myotoxins which cause severe muscle necrosis and paralysis including diaphragm paralysis (ceasing your ability to breathe).
These different toxins act simultaneously on the body and symptoms of a snake bite may or may not include:
*Note: If it is safe to do so, take a photo of the snake from a distance with your phone for future identification purposes.
EDUCATE AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
Keep your family and pets safe around snakes. Always remember, "prevention is always better than cure", and this doctrine has never been more relevant than ever when it comes to protecting your family against snakes.
Be sure to teach your children and family members this very important message. Use your common sense, if you see a snake, DO NOT TOUCH IT or go near it.
If you encounter a snake:
Commercial Information
We have an unbeaten, proven track record in commercial pest control. We provide our customers with the peace of mind that comes with dependable year-round guaranteed protection backed by results based service. If you require an immediate response to a current pest problem or perhaps you"re simply reassessing an existing strategy. Call us, we"re here to help you.
"A One size fits all" approach does not apply in pest control…
Based on a comprehensive assessment of your premises and factoring in its unique environmental conditions, we can develop a customised protection plan that suits your individual requirements.
Prevention of any pest problem is the ideal and achievable goal.
Our technicians can implement immediate, targeted control programs, in key harbourage areas, and advise you on proactive physical exclusion techniques. We also provide guidance and monitoring strategies that focus on environmental control methods that enable us to achieve these goals.
The identification of Snake "hot spots" through regular detailed monitoring is an integral part of any proactive eradication strategy.
Simply call 03 8840 9572 to speak with us directly or fill in the Contact Us form and we"ll respond to your enquiry in a timely fashion.
The treatment plan begins with a thorough inspection of the property establishing the particular species of Snake causing the problem and the location of their breeding and harbourage areas.
Stringent health and safety regulations apply to the control and management of Snake"s in business and commercial situations. Maintaining that control relies on regular monitoring, targeted strategies and effective communication between all stakeholders across the entire pest control process.
Nothing impacts on your reputation quite like an un-controlled pest infestation. No matter what industry you"re in we have a pest control solution for you. The exposure of your customers and staff to unhealthy and potentially dangerous pest situations can seriously compromise your business – and ultimately impact your bottom line. You"re hard earned and well-deserved reputation is everything and complacency can result in an outbreak that will tarnish the reputation of even the most trusted establishment.
Pests problems result in the following problems:
The control of Snakes is an integrated effort that involves removal of the snake, habitat and source eradication. This may include the application of insecticides to the vegetation sites that adult Snakes use for harbourage and breeding purposes.
Snake population control is dependent upon the availability of breeding habitats and the particular target species, as well as many other factors. Should you experience the presence of a snake in your working environment, contact us to discuss the options?