Snakes already out and about

Snake season is warming up and it is set to be a bad one, according to an Eaton snake handler.

Kim Grant, from Roo Rescue, expects to see more snakes this summer after a “double breeding season” last year.

Ms Grant caught the first snake of the season, a 1m dugite, in the grounds of a Dardanup business on Thursday – it was released into bushland 20km from the town.

The catch came after about 10 reports in two weeks, mostly for dugites. A 1m tiger snake was caught at a home in North Dardanup.

The reptiles were out early and snakes had been sighted since the start of the month, Ms Grant said.

“With the warm weather we’ve had, the reptiles have become active,” she said.

“It would be good to have a summer without bites but everyone has to be on their toes.”

Ms Grant said that while people had to be careful of snakes, harmless reptiles were also out and about.

Bobtail lizards were in danger of being wounded by lawnmowers as people cleaned their gardens for summer.

Ms Grant advised people to take care while bushwalking or walking in long grass.

“That rustle in the grass could be a bobtail that eats the snails or it could be a snake,” she said.

“Wear jeans and boots and if you see a snake stand still because it will probably go straight past you.”

Roo Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation servicing Greater Bunbury, can be reached on 0417 992 492.

“We ask for a $50 donation when we are called out to catch a snake to cover costs,” Ms Grant said.

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