Local snake catchers are predicting an influx in sightings of snakes With more residential subdivisions being developed, and with major earthworks intruding on their natural habitat, there are more misplaced snakes being spotted. As a result snake catchers services are becoming increasingly required within the community, with a marked increase this year of call-outs for snake removal from premises.
Some of the most affected new/current developments in the Batemans Bay area are; Blair's Road in Long Beach, Sunshine Bay and Bay Ridge Estate. These new estates have displacing numerous species of animals that now need to find a new places to live. Not surprisingly local residents are finding visitors in their yard. Local Snake Bloke Owen advises "You can be proactive and reduce the likelihood of an animal taking up residence by the following simple steps."
"Keep your yard tidy. By keeping the lawn mown, green waste and clutter off the ground, you are removing the possibility of a snake taking up residence. If you have rodents around your home, make sure that issue is taken care of."
"If you do happen to come across an unwanted visitor, we advise to bring children and pets away from the area, keep an eye on the animal from a safe distance and call a licenced local snake catcher."
"We also advise to learn correct first aid for snake bite and have a few compression bandages in your First Aid Kit."
In the event that you do have a snake that needs to be removed give The Snake Bloke a call. For Eurobodalla and surrounds phone 0402929951 and for the Shoalhaven ring 0481811855
Moruya Veterinary Hospital advise in the case of pets being bitten:
SNAKES are out and on the move looking for a feed. We are getting reports of lots of sightings and it's been reported that a Vet further south of here has had 10 cases in a week. SYMPTOMS OF SNAKE BITE: * Blood or swelling at the site of the bite. * Trembling, salivation, vomiting and depression * Dilated pupils * Respiratory distress. * Red/brown urine * Complete paralysis and coma. ** The onset of signs may be subtle and progressively get worse or sudden with the animal collapsing dramatically within a few minutes of the bite, then appear to recover completely over the next thirty minutes then deteriorate with signs of systemic poisoning WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: - Bring your pet in to the hospital immediately - First aid includes keeping your pet quiet and applying a pressure bandage (a firm bandage of any material over the bite site) - DON'T apply a tourniquet, wash or cut the bite site. - Carry your pet rather than let it walk to avoid speeding the spread of the snake venom. TREATMENT for snake bite involves giving an antivenom through a drip and the sooner the treatment is started the greater the chance of survival. NB Treatment is expensive, so prevention is better than cure. Keep yards free of piles of wood or tin, maintain lawns and gardens. Pet insurance is well worth considering, especially here on the coast with our large numbers of snakes and ticks.
