Authorities have warned the public to be alert for deadly snakes, as the reptiles begin to bask in Melbourne’s spring warmth.
Park Orchards snake catcher Raymond Hoser said he had been “inundated” with calls this week, and had been called to collect about 16 reptiles from around Melbourne and Geelong.
Mr Hoser said he caught snakes in Donvale, Fitzroy, Geelong, Avondale Heights, Williamstown, Sorrento, Rowville and Doreen.
In Melbourne tiger snakes were most common, he said, and during spring and summer he caught “400-500” snakes.
“They’re all deadly,” Mr Hoser said. “But snakes are not aggressive to people. We’re at least five feet tall, they’re three inches tall.”
Mr Hoser advised residents to call a certified snake catcher if they saw one on their property, and said the number of snake bite incidents was going up.
“If you do get bitten, it’s usually not a life-or-death situation with first aid, but you may get kidney failure that you will never get rid of,” he said.
“Kids are the lowest risk of getting snake bites. Dogs and cats are high risk.”
The Australian Veterinary Association said pets should be taken to a vet immediately if a snake attack occurs.
“If you can’t get to a vet immediately, applying a pressure bandage over and around the bite site can help slow the venom spreading to the heart,” AVA spokesman Dr David Neck said.
The AVA says the signs of a snake bite in cats and dogs include:
– Sudden weakness followed by collapse
– Bleeding puncture wound
– Swelling of the bitten area
– Pain and discomfort
– Neurological signs such as twitching, drooling and shaking
– Vomiting
– Loss of bladder and bowel control
– Dilated pupils
– Paralysis
