**SNAKE BITE PREVENTION PLEASE READ & SHARE** SNAKE BITE PREVENTION: Always leave snakes alone. Do not attempt to hold, touch, feel or interfere with a snake unless there is a qualified Herpetologist already on hand and holding the reptile or, the snake is under his/her control. Dead snakes can still inflict a fatal bite & there have been many documented incidents. Dont bury a dead snake in the garden bed, someone may scratch themselves on it, digging around at a later date. Dont throw the body of a dead snake into the paddock, someone may tread on or scratch themselves on the skeleton which may contain crystalized venom, still being lethal! Sometimes the nerves of a dead snake, severed in peices can still be resposible for a potentially fatal bite. 95% of people that are admitted to hospital due to snakebite, are those whom have tried to kill and/or interfere with the reptile, (statistical studies done in WA). Always wear good protective footwear/boots etc; and loose fitting long pants/slacks/jeans when bushwalking. Use a long stick and make noise in front of where you are walking in long grass. Stamp your feet and make plenty of noise around where you are. Never put your hands where you cant see, in hollow logs, long grass, under rocks, in rock crevices when climbing rock faces etc; Use good leather gloves when gardening, spider bites are more common than snake-bite. Use a torch if walking around on a warm evening when dark, even around the house! Instead of risking death from cooking on a warm day, a snake will venture out of a night, laying upon warm pathways/cement/roads etc; to build up its body temperature prior to going on the hunt. Reptiles/snakes are cold blooded & ectothermic, meaning they need to draw & control their body temperature, by using the outside elements. This is why they are more commonly encountered in the warmer months of the year. On the other hand when temperatures are 32C & above, snakes/reptiles will seek areas to cool down, including inside your house. A snake may also detect moisture from air conditioning, escaping under the back/front door, as it passes by, especially in times of dry weather or drought. Dont invite a snake into your house by leaving the door open, not even for your pets. Never leave front/back doors open in warm weather, make sure insect screens have no holes in them and monitor pet doors as snakes also use these to gain entry to a cooler area or water on a hot day. Fit a good quality weather strip to your door, one that has a grommet attached to the door stop, forcing the weather strip to the floor upon closing the door. Stack iron, firewood, timber etc; at least 30cm (12inches) off the ground. If possible dont leave items laying around the carport, garage or shed, especially near front/back doors. Try and use shelving. Always turn compost heaps regually to help prevent rodents from nesting in there. Prevent mice & rats from breeding on and around your property. Snakes will venture into the roof of ceiling space after them. Keep lawns, grass and weeds cut down to a minimum. Prune overhanging bushes, shrubs and trees up off the ground, removing secure areas where snakes like to hide. When landscaping your garden, remember that moss rocks, poorly constructed retaining walls and ground covers provide excellent & secure places for snakes to hide & live in particular - cavities after soil movement? Dont leave shoes/ boots etc; laying on the ground at the back/front door, if you must, get a shoe rack. A metre long brown snake can easily hide unseen - inside a shoe left laying on the ground at the door! Dont leave your pets water bowl by the back door, move it further down the backyard into a shaded area! Having your pets water bowl near the door encourages the snake closer to your house making it easier to dart inside when you venture out! A dripping tap or air conditioner outlet can also provide a viable water source for a thirsty snake! Never intentionally run over a snake on the road as it may hitch a ride home with you! Snake-bite Prevention is far better than a cure. There have been times when antivenenes havent worked. There may also be secondary infections or other complications.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:05:02 +0000
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