snakes and creepie crawlies REASSURANCE REQUIRED PLEASE

[monty]

I' ve been in Adelaide in our rental in the coromandel valley for 10days now and I was pretty chilled until the conversation I had with a lady in Adelaide this morning. As everyone on PIO knows I am a real animal lover and I think I 've managed to bore some people senseless with my worries about my dogs coming over here and their current stay in quarantine (sorry!!). Anyway this morning I had a conversation with a lady with a australian terrier called Benji, during the conversation it transpired that Benji had survived a bite from a brown snake after playing tug of war with it with another terrier!!

Since arriving home, I've been quite anxious and it is preying on my mind a bit. Please can anyone give me advice about snakes that would be around in this area and the potential threat to humans and small animals.

Thanks Montyx

[Life on easy street]

There is no point sugar coating this

You have to face up to the fact there are snakes over hear
Without them Australia would be over run with Rat's.

In most cases they will not attack you but if you step on or play
With them you will get bitten.

There was case on the news a few weeks ago
A dog protected its owner an Elderly woman from a snake
The dog was seriously ill for a while but survived.

It depends on the type of snake and how serious a bite
And how quickly you get medical assistance on your survival prospects.


If you are concerned seek local advice as to the type of snakes in your
area then at least you no what to look for.

[Life on easy street]

Found this website some good pictures of snakes

Treatment of Australian Snake Bites

[Tyke]

I'm sorry but it s a bit of a worry if you have dogs,especially those that like to chase things.

Two of our three were worrying a Blue tongued lizard this afternoon until I rescued him by taking him down the land.

I try and make our gardens as snake unfriendly as possible.
No shade,no low growing bushes.

One good tip I've heard is to put bird netting around the bottom of the fences and anywhere a snake could get in quietly.

It's normally Eastern Brown snakes or Red bellied Blacks in this neck of the woods.Both very toxic but usually not aggressive.They will defend themselves though if cornered or suprised.They can be a bit dopey at times.I actually walked on one that thought he was hidden because his head was under a pile of leaves!!
Noise/vibration can discourage them so hopefully the dogs will make a bit of noise.

[kdal]

Originally Posted by Life on easy street

Found this website some good pictures of snakes

Treatment of Australian Snake Bites

.......

They are so cute NOT

[taipan]

Hi all for those unlucky/lucky enough to come across a snake in oz and are on the rare occassion bitten by it, just a word of advice. make sure you know the difference between the Brown snake and the King Brown Snake (can't stress this enough) as they are completly different species.
Large Eastern Brown Snakes are not "King Brown" snakes. King Browns (Pseudechis australis) are an entirely separate species that does not occur on the East coast of Australia until north of Townsville.
so if bitten by a brown snake ask for a brown snake anti-venom, but if bitten by a King Brown then do not ask for a brown snake anti-venom, either say that you were bitten by a King brown or you were bitten by a black snake. The same goes for your dogs, MAKE SURE YOU TELL THE VET OR THE DOCTOR ( DEPENDS ON IF YOUR A DOG OR HUMAN). Also red back spiders, make sure you check tables etc. put an icepack on the bite as it will help stop the pain. PS do bot wash the venom of a snake bite off. But make sure you put pressure on a snake bite (not too sure about pressure on a spider bite will look into it. sorry for such a long winded post.

Luke

[taipan]

Brown Snake




King Brown Snake
( not the best picture of a King brown) best to look around in books and on the web for a better picture of one.)

[monty]

Thanks guys for all your advice and going to the trouble of replying to my post. I'm going to be very cautious and try to ensure that I am familiar with the different types. Definately going to det some netting for the bottom of the fences and some bells for the dogs collars!!

[Tyke]

You do get some lovely wild life in the gardens as well - it's not all doom and bitey things.
Little Tyke was coming up the track to our house last night and spotted a Koala wandering up the track.She just pulled up and watched him go choose a tree to settle into.
We pooped out to have a look at him as well.
Quite honoured by the visit

[monty]

Oh thanks for that Mr and Mrs Tyke, how lovely for little Tyke she wouldn't have had that experience in Leeds! Still feeling a bit sbake phobic but your post kinda balanced things out for me. Currently getting used to the local bird life have a kookaburra who we've called Kevin who comes to visit first time I heard him I thought I had a monkey in the garden!!!!

Montyx