03/05/2026
The photo is of a highlands copperhead recently reacued from Braidwood. A beautiful animal outside the usual three.
It's not over.
People are saying thank goodness the season is over. I can assure everyone, it isn't yet
I predicted a longer season this year and that was based partially on the late warmth in spring. We really didn't see much activity for reptules until November and though it can be reduced to longer winters where it is colder early and longer, but the drought cycle is now kicking in so less rain, less cold and blustering blizzards, heavier frosts overnight but still and calm days. I now predict a shorter, and warmer, winter but these are only personal environmental from going outside and data from the bureau of meteorology and we know they do their best but they are also not always accurate so it is really only best guess.
What I can say is that there are snakes moving around smaller areas because of the colder nights not giving them more time to move further and many have already found their brumate locations. Once they are found, they either won't be seen again until spring or they may come out to have a last bask or hunt on a sunny day but they won't move far from that hole. There are many that are trying to find that ideal bed and some have been caught in their last shed at the same time, which makes it much harder and riskier to find somewhere safe. Last Friday there was a mini surge in activity even seeing snakes crossing roads and that indicates they are getting eager to find that ideal sleep spot. They get pretty determined in this search so if one is seen on your property, stay back so as not to dusturb it but please keep eyes on it until it either leaves or it goes into something. It is important now more than ever to watch where tha animal goes so when a snake handler arrives, we can assess if that place is a risk and the animal may need removal or if it can be managed over winter in that spot. But if we don't know where that hole is, we are far less able to help the situation.
But also remember that a snake that has been seen but disappeared may find a location somewhere on a property not ideal and what goes in, will emerge when the weather warms and if there is any anxiety over our elapids, it may be wise to take the time to make a phone call. It is also wise to think carefully about snake safety, what you may or may not be able to physically do to help protect areas or risk or encounters, ensuring bandages are in places that can be accessed quickly or carrying them when walking and creating a mini plan that can be attached to annual bush fire conversations on the 'what ifs'. A wonderful idea someone came up with for places without mobile phone access and when someone is away from the house but another remains is walkie talkies. Mobile phone always have 000 and that is the lifeline but it may not just be a snake issue that requires emergency services, like a twisted ankle for example, and if someone else is home, walkie talkies are brilliant. They are used for communication at festivals and are the standard because of their effectiveness for smaller areas and for phone reception black spots.
* Note: Has anyone noticed a significant reduction in mobile phone reception since the removal of 3g even though there are towers everywhere? *
Anyway, Fangtastic is available as the weather cools for property checks and I suggest if it is on a list of things to do, don't procrastinate this season. This is not a marketing suggestion for profit but a real concern for residents that may have been able to do something to help prevent a negative encounter and I see and hear the results. Fangtastic is a free or by donation service and when spring starts, it is practically too difficult to do checks when rescues then become heavy and priority.
I know it has been awful for some families this season with pets being lost to snake and far too many human bites that are often avoidable with appropriate foot and legwear. But we are here to help where and when we can so contact if necessary.
