Snakes

Snakes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. It is an offence to kill, injure or take snakes from the wild.

Snakes have an important role in maintaining the natural environment. Along with other reptiles, they make up a significant proportion of the middle-order predators that keep natural ecosystems working. Without them, the numbers of prey species would increase to unnatural levels and the predators that eat snakes would struggle to find food.

Snakes usually prefer to retreat when disturbed but if they feel threatened, they can become defensive. Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill the animals.

If you see a snake, don't panic. Back away to a safe distance and allow the snake to move away. Snakes often want to escape when disturbed.

When left alone, snakes pose little or no danger to people.

Snakes and your home

If there is a chance that a snake could enter your home, you should keep the contact details of a licensed snake catcher on hand.

Find a local snake catcher:

• in the Yellow pages
• via an internet search.

Snake catchers will relocate the snake to a safe place. Remember that snakes are an important part of the environment and a relocated snake may be replaced by another living nearby. The best way to keep snakes away is to snake-proof your home.

Backyards

Make your backyard unsuitable for snakes.

• Place your garden beds away from your home.
• Keep your lawn short.
• Stack timber piles neatly so that rodents and snakes can’t hide there.
• Tidy up your yard during the colder months when snakes are less active
• Place food scraps in closed compost bins to keep rodents away from your home.
• Wear gloves, long pants and covered shoes when gardening.
• Lift objects so that they face away from you. This will help protect you if a snake is sheltering underneath.

Homes

Stop snakes entering your home by screening doors and windows, and blocking all potential entry points.

If a snake finds its way into your home, close your internal doors, open your external doors and give the snake a chance to leave.

Never interfere with snakes. They will defend themselves. A high number of snakebites are from people trying to handle, interfere with or kill snakes.

Nurseries and aviaries

The warm environment in nurseries and greenhouses can attract snakes.

• Keep your nursery and greenhouse clean and tidy.
• Keep plant trays elevated to ensure visibility.

Rats and birds attract snakes.

• Make your bird aviaries rat and snake-proof. Talk to your pet shop about ways to prevent snakes entering aviaries.
• Store bird seed in rodent-proof containers.

The outdoors

When hiking:

• stay on formed paths or tracks so that you can see and avoid snakes
• carry a first aid-kit that contains pressure bandages
• wear protective clothing such as covered shoes and trousers
• carry a torch at night so that you can see where you are going.