Great scot, sunbaking snake

By Kath Gannaway
A TIGER snake sunning itself on a rock was enough to make expat Scotsman Andrew MacDonald go cold.
Mr MacDonald was cutting long grass for a customer near houses in Badger Creek a week ago when the snake caught his eye.
“If you’re out in the bush you expect them, but this was close to houses and with so much long grass around I just wanted to warn people that they are out there,” said Mr MacDonald, who swears he’s not just touting for business when he recommends that people keep their grass cut.
His warning is backed up by the Department of Sustainability and Evironment who sent out their own alert last week that warmer weather has seen snakes on the move.
Semi-rural bushland areas are prime habitat for awakening snakes according to DSE Senior Wildlife Officer Leigh Murray.
He said people should clear their properties of rubbish and long grass, which can provide a refuge for snakes such as the tiger snake Mr MacDonald saw as well as brown snakes and lowland copperheads.
He issued a reminder also that snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act.
“It is illegal to kill a snake, however residents can arrange for a licensed snake catcher to remove them,” he said.
Snake catcher contacts are available through DSE on 136 186 and through the Shire of Yarra Ranges on 1300 368 333.
Mr Murray said many snake bites occur when people try to catch or kill snakes.
“These bites are entirely avoidable,” he said.
The good news about the warmer weather according to Mr Murray is that snakes are more mobile and will generally slither away before they are approached too closely.
When they don’t slither away, snake bite victims should be kept calm and as still as possible, a pressure bandage or substitute applied immediately to the bite area and the victim taken straight to a hospital emergency department for treatment.
Advice on snakebite is available from the Poisons Information Centre’s 24 hour line 13 11 26.