Snakes Harmful and Harmless®
SNAKES & PEOPLE
Top - Some Pilbara youngsters I met in the bush near Wodgina with their family holding a Southwest Carpet Python, and a young Kimberley lad pretending he was me at one of my regional displays in Broome Boulevard Shopping Centre.
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No negative preconceptions here!
Snakes are an integral part of the Australian bush. They are considered by many to be an unnecessary evil. However this is a misconception. Snakes as predators play an important role in the control of other animals. In many cases these other animals are exotic vermin such as rats and mice. Snakes pose little threat to sensible people. If sighted in a backyard and left alone they will usually move away. If pressured and retreat is blocked by fences and walls the snake may panic and feel threatened. Even at this stage the snake is reluctant to bite unless physically contacted. Many bites do occur however when the victim attempts to kill a snake.
The most likely backyards where snakes occur, are those with old junk stored directly on the ground providing ideal shelter. Junk is best stored off the ground. Bird aviaries and chicken yards encourage mice which in turn attract snakes.
There are few people available to come and remove snakes. Some pest control companies will attend for a fee. Western Australia's wildlife authority, Department of Parks ands Wildlife (DPaW) is reluctant to send an officer but will provide telephone numbers of registered snakecatchers.
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