As summer temperatures soar, bringing snakes closer to Canberra homes, a leading local reptile expert has a clear message for residents: not every sighting requires a panicked phone call.
Learning to live with our slithering neighbours
Peter Child, head of the Canberra Reptile Zoo, believes many Canberrans are too quick to dial for professional help when they spot a venomous snake, like the common eastern brown, in their garden or local playground. With the city earning its "bush capital" moniker, he argues that coexistence is key.
"Canberra's the bush capital. If you can't learn to live with snakes, you're probably living in the wrong place," Mr Child stated. He emphasised that in many cases, if the snake has a clear escape route, it should simply be observed and left to move on. "If you see a snake, you're safe because once you've seen them, all you've got to do is avoid them. It's that simple," he advised.
When you should definitely call for help
However, Mr Child was clear that there are specific situations where calling a professional catcher is necessary. The primary rule is if the animal is trapped and cannot exit easily on its own.
"Anytime the snake is in a position where it can't exit that position easily, then you need to call us," he explained. This includes snakes that have entered a house and are hiding, perhaps inside a washing machine or shoes, or those confined in an enclosed courtyard or playground. "So it might be inside your house, which is clearly a time to call someone like us."
He also encouraged concerned residents to call for advice, noting his team is happy to talk people through whether a situation truly requires a removal.
The cost of an unnecessary callout
Mr Child revealed that callout fees for snake catchers in the ACT typically range from $100 to $150, a charge that is often incurred even if the reptile has vanished before the catcher arrives. His own organisation, while not-for-profit, must cover significant costs like insurance.
The past four weeks, including Christmas Day, have seen a significant spike in calls to the Reptile Zoo. Yet, "a lot of the time when we attend these callouts, the snakes don't actually need to be interfered with or removed," Mr Child observed, attributing this to a common instinct to "do something" upon seeing wildlife.
To foster better understanding, Mr Child planned to host educational talks at the Reptile Zoo on New Year's Eve at noon.
Proactive steps for a snake-safe property
The best defence, according to the expert, is simple property maintenance to make your yard less attractive to snakes seeking shelter.
- Don't leave rubbish or piles of debris around.
- Clean under sheds and scrub out overgrown areas.
- If children play in the yard, don't leave toys like buckets or containers upside down, as these can become perfect hiding spots.
"We just need to appreciate the fact that these animals are here all the time and they're around us all the time, and they're not a threat to us unless we interfere with them," Mr Child concluded. His final guarantee to the public: "If you do see them and you do leave them alone, I guarantee they will definitely leave you alone as well."
