Snake Removal at Copi Hollow

The warmer weather is starting to grace our land and so we all come out to play but we are not the only inhabitants that will come out in droves as a result of good weather.

This scary looking large snake is a was caught in the old observers tower. I’m told that a few weeks ago Felix Pace seen the snake curled around a protruding pole outside the tower.

Grif Barker and Andrew Stewart decided to go up and check out the situation while some other brave members of the club waited in safety down on the grass, then a sudden movement in the observers tower and Mr Snake was found (I’m not sure how much pain the boys were in after hitting their heads on the roof).

Grif exited the tower with a flag pole and Mr Snake curled around it, Mr Snake looked rather relaxed for a snake that had just been removed from the place it had been calling home for quite some time.

Ben Allen (Primary Industries, Dingo Boy and Snake Whisperer), identified the snake as a Inland Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota Metcalfei) saying it was not a common snake to the area. Inland Carpet Pythons are a medium species of python from central-west to western parts of NSW, fringing the QLD border and SA ranges in Australia. They are naturally occurring in and around rocky escarpments and outcrops, tree-lined creek beds and open plains, as well as their stronghold – the redgums and rivergums lining the mighty Murray Darling River system. They are agile climbers on rock faces, in shrubs and trees and across the ground. They are active hunters, feeding on small and large mammals, reptiles and frogs as well as birds.

Ben then showed the boys the correct handling procedure, and how to safely transport the snake to a new home, he/she was then taken by boat to Box Hollow where he/she would be safe from being killed by a terrified human. Ben then went on to say “They are a really cool snake”. Mmmm……ok.

So what do you do when you see a snake?

Remain calm – When you see a snake remember it is likely it has seen you too. In the majority of cases snakes will retreat to nearby cover but on occasion will lay still in hope you will go away. A snake will not make a deliberate motion towards you unless provoked. Do not stamp your feet or try to make noise to scare it away, this could cause the snake to feel as if it is trapped and it needs to act.

Tell someone – If the snake is on Copi grounds please inform the caretaker so that he can remove the snake if needed.

It is a good idea to ask an adult to keep an eye on the snake as they will go and hide because they are probably as terrified as you are.

What do you if you were to be bitten by a snake?

1. Remain Calm

2. Apply bandage to bite site

• if on a limb tightly apply a pressure immobilisation

bandage (crepe preferred) starting just above

fingers and/or toes and as far up the limb as possible

3. Immobilise casualty

• apply a splint to immobilise the bitten limb

• check circulation in fingers or toes

• ensure casualty does not move