Keep yourself and your family safe from snakes by being aware.
With spring in full swing and the weather warming up, snakes are becoming more active and may enter your backyard or worse, your home. To help your family stay safe this snake season, we’ve identified 5 snakes that you need to watch out for.
DISCLAIMER: Do not attempt to approach or catch a snake. Always call a professional to safely remove snakes from your property. If you have been bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
1. Common Death Adder
Appearance: Fairly short snakes with thick bodies covered in pale stripes and a thin tail, used to attract prey.
The common death adder is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. While it is rare to encounter the common death adder around your home, they may be found buried in heavy leaf litter.
This snake will bite only if provoked and delivers the fastest strike among all venomous snakes. Their venom is extremely toxic and has caused human fatalities. If you do happen to suffer a bite from the common death adder, seek medical attention immediately.
2. Brown Tree Snake
Appearance: Very slender and slim with a large head, usually a natural brown shade.
The brown tree snake is infamous for being an invasive species, causing major destruction to the Guam bird population and power outages across the board. As its name suggests, they are incredibly good climbers and often found in trees and roofs. While its bite is not necessarily large enough to deliver high doses of venom to adults, it is potentially dangerous for small children. If encountered, it will rear up in a defensive ‘S’ shaped posture.
3. White Crowned Snake
Appearance: Cream ring around its head with a dark slender body and whip-like tail.
This particular species is unique to Australia. It’s extremely common for them to enter homes and will utilise a number of places for refuge including retaining walls, rocks, iron sheets and timber piles.
If you encounter this snake around your home, keep children away as its venom is especially dangerous to them. Bites from the white crowned snake will cause pain surrounding the wound and severe symptoms. Be sure to apply the correct first aid and seek medical attention if your child is bitten.
4. Yellow-faced Whip Snake
Appearance: Very slender with long, thin whip-like tail and distinctive face markings around nose and eyes.
The yellow-faced whip snake is an incredibly fast-moving snake and usually active during the day. Often confused with the eastern brown snake, it is hard to observe due to its ability to flee quickly if disturbed. It is frequently spotted around homes and hiding underneath debris. This snake is also potentially harmful to small children.
5. Coastal Taipan
Appearance: Long head with distinctive brow and pale face and snout.
The coastal taipan is a large and highly venomous snake, common to northern and eastern Australia. It is the third most venomous snake in the world and often referred to as Australia’s most dangerous snake.
It is extremely rare to find this snake around the home. However, there have been recent sightings of them in the last few years. Bites from the coastal taipan are fatal. Do not provoke or threaten, as they will defend themselves with multiple strikes. Bites should be treated and receive medical attention immediately.
If you see any snakes in your local area, contact these Sunshine Coast snake catchers.
Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7
Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers is 24-hour snake removal business, providing their services to the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland areas. Their services include:
- Snake identification & removal
- Snake relocation
- Inspections of roof cavities & sheds
They also have a photo library of snakes of snakes found on the Sunshine Coast on their website. For more information, check out their LocalSearch Profile page.
William Pledger-Snake Catcher provides reptile catching and removal services from your home and car in the Sunshine Coast area. They offer services such as:
- Reptile relocation
- Snake catching
- Snake advisory service
Whether you’re looking to learn more about reptiles or need one removed from your home, William Pledger-Snake Catcher will get the job done. Visit their LocalSearch profile for a full list of services.
