Snake season

[Andy Mac]

Hi there.
Had a bit of a scare today! I've had the day off work, because my wife wanted to go to Bris Vegas with her mum and do the Craft Show thing. No complaints there, my young fella Loki (2) and I did a few things... like take his wagon and a couple of buckets for a walk.:) Went up through our back gate and collected horse manure from the sports ground, which we brought back for my worm farm. While we were at the garden shed, Loki pointed towards the chook pen, so I grabbed a scoop of grain and went to check on the new chickens. He carried the scoop, so I let him into the pen and he headed for the grain trough (which is very close to the tin chook house), which I was pleasantly surprised at, instead of tipping the whole lot on the ground. Well, he was about a foot from the trough when I spied the bugger...a bloody great brown snake between the trough and chook house!!:eek::eek: I yelled at Loki to stop, which scared him and promptly dropped the scoop by which time I raced from the gate and lifted him away. The snake made a quick escape... on par with mine, and disappeared under the slab which has been dug away by chooks and rats probably. As I retreated I had a bit of a look at him (or her) and although it was all tangled up over itself I reckon it would have been about 6"+ in girth, and shiney gun metal grey, not a pattern to be seen....so was no python! Tell you what, made me shake for a bit, thinking how close my little fella was to it.:o And now I've gotta face it when ever I go to get the eggs, as I'll be reluctant to let my girls go there now.
We've been on this 3 1/2 acres- half of which is lightly timbered- for nearly 3 yrs, and I've only seen one snake before (under the front steps) but with all my junk around I'm not surprised. And as my stepfather always said, if you've got chooks, you'll have snakes.

Cheers,

[Bleedin Thumb]

Might be worth getting someone in to "relocate" it if it is a brown because theyre bad tempered things. At least get a positive ID for your peace of mind.

[Wood Borer]

Removing hiding places and food sources such as the rats will make the place less attractive for them.

Remember this is one that you saw, there may be others or it could be one passing through.

Although I am very fond of snakes there is no place for them to be around young people.

[ozwinner]

Although I am very fond of snakes there is no place for them to be around young people.


This is why you have them. :rolleyes: :p :D

Al :D :D :D :D :D

[Gumby]

6" in girth !!!! :eek:
Sure it wasn't an anaconda ! :)

[Wood Borer]

This is why you have them. :rolleyes: :p :D

Al :D :D :D :D :D


You're older than me Al.:D :D :D

[ozwinner]

You're older than me Al.:D :D :D

I only have a pet python and he is easy to please.

Al :rolleyes:

[Andy Mac]

Remember this is one that you saw, there may be others or it could be one passing through.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd have been close to a couple before this but didn't notice...just now I'm paranoid!!:rolleyes:
This is the snake, I'm about 95% positive: http://www.oceanwideimages.com.au/categories.asp?cID=278
and this is brown snake country. As for 6", I mean in circumference, and that's being conservative...it was pretty thick. I just had a chat to the neighbour over the fence, and he pointed out a dead kookaburra, on my side nearer the chook pen!! Maybe the kooka tried getting too close:eek:.

Cheers,

[Doughboy]

Hehe

My old amn would have ##### himself. I dont mind snakes, I do like snake skin handbags they look good.

I would rather see a snake than a spider any day!!!!!

Pete

[Bluegum]

Hi Andy, I can understand where your coming from there with the old joe blakes. We back onto a feeder creek into the Bremer river. Last year we had 3 browns show up and one that took roost under the house. It ended up moving on to next door and we think back out to the paddock behind us. I've been down to Bunnies and bought a swag of that cheap gutter gaurd and I've ran it around the bottom of the fence to hopefully keep them out. Its a bit easier for me only having and 800 odd SQM block. it was either that or try and by a mongoose.

[knucklehead]

Andy, if you are lucky enough to find a skin stick it in the post to Queensland Muesum. They may be able to identify it.

I've used it a couple of times with good sucess.

[bsrlee]

Some parents do pick'em - you named your kid 'Loki' and he has a problem with snakes?!?!?!?!:eek:

Look up the various legends associated with Loki - he ended up chained to a rock for eternity with a snake dripping corrosive venom on him - One of his daughters holds a bowl out to collect the venom and earthquakes are caused when she has to empty it & a few drops hit him. Also known as Loki, Baldur's Bane.

[Buzza]

I'm relieved to hear no damage was done to either you or Loki!

A dead kookaburra nearby suggests Kooky may have lost a battle with Joe Blake. Kookaburra's cant resist having a go at a snake, and the 6" girth may suggest the snake had dined already.

What 've found with snakes is that if you "relocate" them from the place they curl up in for a camp, they will be replaced within 24 hours by another. (Even if relocated using a 12G).

A big one like that suggests a King Brown but I don't know much about snakes of your area. Do you have Taipans there . . ?

[MurrayD99]

"dangerous and venomous". Mate - this is one great reason for living this side of the Tasman. I'd still be running - no - I'd have died on the spot!

[Iain]

Saw my first tiger about six weeks ago, very cautious when I walk up the driveway as that is where the last one was hiding.
Seen a few flat ones on the way to work.
The local primary school gets a few as the is a creek adjoining the place, the kids are warned to stay away if they see one but do they, never, the boys sit on the picnic tables and pelt them with stones leaving the teachers to deal with one very angry tiger:D

[bennylaird]

A few years ago the police where called to a car stopped on the railway lines. When they got there this guy was trying to grab the Tiger snake in his car as it was repeatedly trying to bite him as it tried to escape. Story is the guy was bitten in his yard and thought you had to identify the snake to get the right antivenom. So he grabs the snake and drives towards the hospital. On the crossing the snake was attacking him again hence the scene the police were confronted by. As they approached the guy turns round with the snake in his hands. The copper has pulled his gun, not at the snake but at the guy telling him to back off. Copper didn't like snakes either.

[Barry_White]

Had two red bellied blacks in the back yard so far this year.

On the local ABC here in the New England on the the Saturday morning garden program they were talking about a product available called Shoo Snake that apparantly discourages snake by spraying it around your boundries or areas that you don't want them to come.

They were also discussing the fact that also a mixture of Phenol and water will discourage them.

[Iain]

There is one I have seen all around the country but don't know what sort it is, about 1 metre long, 2mm thick and roughly 200mm wide.
They just sit there (usually on the road) and don't move:rolleyes:

[Andy Mac]

I got home from work this afternoon to find my Jack Russell, Spud, had killed a snake. It was in the house yard, and sure enough a brown snake!:eek: I measured it up, 1.2m or about 4foot, and while big enough to do some damage, I don't think it was fat enough to be the one in the chook pen...worse luck. I haven't taken a photo because its pretty torn up by the dog, although in one piece, unlike the previous one he got!:p

Good on ya Spuddy!!:D

[Bluegum]

We've been lucky so far, no snakes or toads but plenty of green tree frogs about here in the yard. I will take the frogs any day over the snakes. Found a dead one in a pot plant tonight and its mate had done a runner. while I was trying to get rid of the dead one. The paddock behind us was slashed last thursday night after its owners had slashed it. Hopfully this will keep the snakes down a bit. as well, I took this just as the firies were turning up. The fire itself was ony 30 metres from the back fence by the time it was bought under control.

[Bluegum]

I meant burned after it was slashed. Doh...

[Bondy1s]

I have discovered I am allergic to snakes.

New years eve three years ago I was bitten by a brown snake in my yard. After a three hour ambulance ride to Dubbo Base Hospital, I spent the rest of new years eve lying in a hospital bed. It took three months but my new year resolution that year was to dispatch that snake to greener pastures.

I am now sharing my shed with a six foot black snake. I have only spotted him a couple of times but he regularly leaves a distintive track through the wood shavings/sawdust when I am not there. When I am in the shed I keep a loaded shotty on the bench. My better half reckons a black is the lesser of two evils and the locals all reckon a black which usually has a more timid disposition to humans, will keep the browns away.

My opinion is that all snakes no matter what colour should find alternative accommodation. It is just too stressfull having to scan the area before moving about the shed or its immediate surrounds and every little odd noise makes me jump.

I was extremely lucky that when I was bitten, it was near an available supply of pressure bandage and a first aider, because the nearest anti-venom is an hour's drive and the nearest ICU hospital is another two hours further.

If you live in a rural area, ensure that you have first aid training and at least four or five rolls of elastic bandage on hand because that is what you need to apply an effective pressure bandage to an average build adult who has been bitten on the lower leg.

[MurrayD99]

I have discovered I am allergic to snakes.

.....I am now sharing my shed with a six foot black snake. I have only spotted him a couple of times but he regularly leaves a distintive track through the wood shavings/sawdust when I am not there.......

Nooooooo! No way! Hell with woodwork if you have to do this. What happens if you both want to use a machine at the same time. What kind of furniture is he into making? :rolleyes: Reckon my Grandfather (married at Longreach around 1900) knew a thing or two when he crossed the Tasman. UUUrrrrrrrrrr (shivers).

[bennylaird]

Don't worry Muzz, won't be long before you lot have a good supply over there. People will smuggle some in and a few will hitch a ride in containers etc. Then you will be able to share. Just like the redbacks etc we are exporting:D :D :D :D

[keith53]

Call me paranoid but I'd be relocating the snake with a .410 shotgun. IMO when it comes to kids & snakes, the snake looses hands down. My parents have a 50 acre farm and frequently come into contact with browns & king browns and they can be very agressive.

My daughter & SIL have just purchased a 5 acre property and I've already made it one of my jobs to reinforce with the 7yo & 4yo grandkids to look ahead of where they're walking/running and be aware of the possibility of snakes. Maybe its my finely tuned sense of self preservation (I can still remember a couple of near misses as a 4yo myself) but I reckon a .410 should be mandatory kit for anyone with a half acre & more.

[bennylaird]

Prefer a 12 guage with 2 barrels, just cos I don't really take much time to aim when I see one.

Last one I got was with stones from a distance, snake was unlucky.

[Bob38S]

I wouldn't be wandering down to the shed in the dark if I were you - many are quite active at night and those that aren't don't like to be disturbed.

Uncle Winchester works for me. Snake shoes, bags and belts are the best form of snake:D:D

[bennylaird]

How many of us grew up with the length of twisted fencing wire beside the back door? As good a way of educating snakes to take a nice rest on the ants nest as any? As kids we marvelled at how fast the ants could reduce a snake to components.

[Wood Butcher]

but I reckon a .410 should be mandatory kit for anyone with a half acre & more.

Unfortunately thanks to bonsai Johnny its not that easy any more.

[Bluegum]

As I once said to a greenie, Snakes have a place in the ecosystem. Just not in my backyard. According to the QLD EPA website I could expect to see not only browns but they reckon coastal taipans as well which have been found in ipswich. With all this talk on snakes I wonder if there is a breeder of mongoooses around..

[fxst]

I normally dont worry about them but they are now entering the shed and I prefer my old dog to a snake in the shed.
I have had to remove 5 browns in the last 4 weeks with the help of Mr Browning....smallest was 4 foot biggest 5'6" metric?? you do the math.
I reckon seeing theres 25 acres I should at least have 1 acre snake free....they will learn or meet Mr Browning.
Pete

[MurrayD99]

Don't worry Muzz, won't be long before you lot have a good supply over there. People will smuggle some in and a few will hitch a ride in containers etc. Then you will be able to share. Just like the redbacks etc we are exporting:D :D :D :D

No way Benny. Our border patrols will get them and turn them back. Entrance Verboten! Imagine having to think twice before you pick up an armful of dead leaves, branches.... No No No. Gonna migrate to Mars if that happens; learn the language, put together enough fuel and food.... light the blue paper.... off! UUUUrrggghhhhhhhhhh (again)

[MurrayD99]

I normally dont worry about them but they are now entering the shed and I prefer my old dog to a snake in the shed.
I have had to remove 5 browns in the last 4 weeks with the help of Mr Browning....smallest was 4 foot biggest 5'6" metric?? you do the math.
I reckon seeing theres 25 acres I should at least have 1 acre snake free....they will learn or meet Mr Browning.
Pete

What are you going to do when they take away our guns Pete? Snakes be laughing from here to the back 40! Presumably they sit on the tractor seat where it is nice and warm and a good view too... My uncle told me a black mamba can do 30 Mph on the back 6" of its tail and take a man off a horse at full gallop. OK, I'll believe that. Urrgghhhhhhh (again & again) shivers..

[bennylaird]

Hey Muzz????? Don't ya like snakes????:confused: :confused: :confused:

[fxst]

What are you going to do when they take away our guns Pete? Snakes be laughing from here to the back 40! Presumably they sit on the tractor seat where it is nice and warm and a good view too... My uncle told me a black mamba can do 30 Mph on the back 6" of its tail and take a man off a horse at full gallop. OK, I'll believe that. Urrgghhhhhhh (again & again) shivers..

twisted fencing wire is always at hand as well. If need be I can pick them up and bag em then take em elsewhere but for now Mr Browning will do.
Shall I bag a couple and send em to Mars for you ??:D

[MurrayD99]

Sssssssss! You wouldn't! Get out on Mars and find a big snake and his mates waiting for me... Where to after that - no more fuel, limited food and don't know any other languages..... Couldn't sleep because the snakes might come close.... Is that Hell?

[Bob38S]

Speaking of the old twisted fence wire - we have a modern version, a few lengths of 25mm poly water pipe [thick stuff with the blue stripe about 1.8m long] placed at various locations around the place. Great grip, easy to use, and works well. So far snakes = 0, humans = 4 - in the last 12 years or so.

However from September to February it is the smart move is to stay away from the eastern browns :mad::mad: with poly - very aggressive, raises head like a cobra, very fast [have dodged the falling poly pipe], easily recognised by the pinkish blotches on a cream belly - call for Uncle Winchester - he speaks [loudly] with authority :D:D:D.

[Doughboy]

I once witnessed my uncle walk up behind a king brown pick it up by the tail and crack it like a whip. All over in about five seconds. I was a 13 year old sitting on my horse mouth agape and think bloomin' idjit!!!!

Apparently he was known for his lack of respect for the slithering kind. He was called to evacuate many snakes around the town he lived near.

The man had a rather larger set than me I am not ashamed to say.

Pete

[MurrayD99]

I once witnessed my uncle walk up behind a king brown pick it up by the tail and crack it like a whip. All over in about five seconds. He was called to evacuate many snakes around the town he lived near.

The man had a rather larger set than me I am not ashamed to say.

Pete

OK, I'm going to make room for him in the rocket to Mars. Ha Ha... we done got a solution if the snakes are up there (is it up???:confused:) before us. :D :D :D

[bennylaird]

Hey Muzz, just posted you a pressie, it's a long box, open it carefully maaaattttttteee.:D :D :D

[MurrayD99]

Hey Muzz, just posted you a pressie, it's a long box, open it carefully maaaattttttteee.:D :D :D


B'std! Don't suppose it is a harmless, friendly, cuddly variety.... :eek: I'll get Pamm1e to open it.

Yer crack it like a stockwhip y'say. Hold it by the head?:mad: UUrrghhhhhh!

But thanks.... yer thoughtful....:D :D :D ..... 'n I know you got a busy day today....:D :D