What should I do if I see a snake?

Let's talk Snake Safety!

Can you believe that snake season is already here?

I actually saw a snake over the weekend and is what prompted me to write this blog.

Snake safety is outside my scope of practice, so I’ve called in Gianni from Hodgson’s Snakes to educate us all on what to do if we see a snake.

Your safety

When you see a snake, never approach it or try to scare it off. This can provoke the snake to try and defend itself.

Call a professional
If you decide that the snake should be removed call a professional. If this is the option you have chosen then the following steps can be critical to ensuring the snake is found when the catcher arrives.

Have someone watch the snake from a safe distance 100% of the time

This is crucial. Snakes are very fast and can disappear in a matter of seconds, even in short grass, their colouring can also make them blend in to sticks and rocks etc. If the snake disappears, relocating it can be a very difficult and sometimes an unlikely mission.

Keep your distance

The person watching the snake needs to keep a safe distance so that they don’t unintentionally make the snake feel threatened. If the snake does decide to move on to another spot you can follow the snake to keep it in your sights, but from a distance. Sometimes it helps to have more than one person watching the snake (or the area that the snake was spotted, for example if it went into a bush, having people watch the bush from different sides can increase the chances of the snake being spotted if it leaves).

Keep vulnerable family members away

Make sure that any young children, Dogs, cats etc are kept away. Children can be curious, Dogs and Cats can be defensive. Keep them in the house (or a separate room if the snake is in the house).

If the snake is in your home

If the snake is in your home...let us use the bathroom as an example. Follow the same steps as before. Have someone watch the snake and keep your distance. Call a professional and keep vulnerable family members away. Try to prevent the snake from moving to another room by rolling up some towels and putting them under the doors, close cupboards, toilet lids and anywhere else where the snake may want to try to escape or hide. If you are not comfortable being in the room with the snake, there is no need to put yourself in that position. Close the door and put a rolled up towel under it. You can maybe watch it through the window outside. If this is what you are comfortable doing I would try to find someone to watch the snake from the rooms window and also at the door. If the snake makes its way to the door and gets into the rest of the house, by the time you get back inside to monitor it, it could be anywhere.

When to call a snake catcher?

You can call a snake catcher at any time for general advice, we are always happy to talk about snakes. Anytime you see a snake is also a good time to call a snake catcher. Not every snake needs to be removed from a property. There are a lot of factors that are used to determine if the snake should be removed.

For more information on snakes please contact Gianni on 0490 415 734 or hodgsonssnakes@gmail.com

https://hodgsonssnakes.com.au/

Back to Rhythm Resources

Popular posts

A guide to pain relief in children
A Guide to Pain Relief in Children
What is the best way to check a baby's temperature?
What is the best way to check a baby’s temperature?

Featured product

Family First Aid Kit lid off
Family First Aid Kit [Option to Personalise!]

Share this

Warrnambool parent's first aid training helped avoid serious burns

The quick thinking of Warrnambool parents Lucy and Pat Mahony saved their 18-month-old son Ollie from serious scars for life after he pulled a cup of coffee onto himself.

Read Now
What is the best way to check a baby’s temperature?

How do I check my baby’s temperature? 🤒 What is the best way to check a baby’s temperature? There are so many different types and brands of thermometers out there. What thermometer should I buy?

We're here to answer all your questions!

Read More
Pain Relief for Kids: Your Guide to The How Much, When and Why

When our little loves are in pain, we want nothing more than to help them. This guide discusses common pain reliving medications that we can use to help alleviate their pain, as well as when and why we use them.

Read Now