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Old 23-09-2003, 01:25 AM
Trish Brown
 
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Default Animals in the suburbs was Keeping snakes away

David Hare-Scott wrote:

I am no herpetologist but have you looked at why this snake sticks
around? Do you have a particularly good environment for snakes? Do you
supply their needs for food, water or shelter?


Dunno... He's been living under our house for nearly four years now, but
recently began travelling up and down the street. Various neighbours have
spotted him on odd occasions, sunning himself on their paths or slithering
through their lawns. When you hear the filthy Indian Mynahs go beserk, it's
generally him (we call him Snidely) being attacked! Luckily, none of our
neighbours is interested in killing Snidely, but there must be something keeping
him around! I know we've had hardly any mice since he's been living with us, so
that's A Good Thing!

We have them here down by the river, apparently they like creeks, ponds
and canals. I can't change the river (who would want to) so I tell
people to take care walking by it and to give the snake a chance to run
(slither?) away.


Yes, there's a creek nearby and we do get quite a bit of wildlife coming from
it. There are Brown Snakes in the creek banks and I'm *much* happier to have
this Red Belly than one of those! A herpetologist has come several times to try
and catch Snidely and relocate him, but each time the snake was too wily and got
away. Our only worry is that the dogs (there are several in yards along our
street) might get bold one day and either kill or be killed by the snake. Either
would be a shame!

Well, the only useful info our Snake-Catchit-Man could give was the bit about
the garden hose. He *strongly* recommended keeping away from the snake and said
Red Bellies are not as benign as some might think. They will attack if cornered
and they could be deadly, especially to a child or elderly person. As far as I'm
concerned, the snake is fine, keeping the mice away. I'd just be happier for his
and the dogs' safety if he had a different address!

I must admit, watching these blokes move along is hypnotic! The sinuous motion,
coupled with the independent movement of all those muscles - well - it's just
another example of the Wonders of Nature and its excellent adaptation to fit a
niche! While I'm on a roll, I must say that this year has been a great one for
us in terms of native wildlife. I've found we have a pair of Little Falcons
nesting nearby as well as Swamp Harriers, Long-Billed Corellas and Tawny
Frogmouths that visit regularly. More recently, I saw a Crested Hawk for the
first time in thirty years!

Along with all this, my Mum (lives a few blox away) has noticed the numbers of
Spotted Turtledoves visiting her garden has decreased suddenly while Crested
Pigeon numbers are up! I wonder why? Someone must have done something right!

--
Trish {|:-}
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Old 23-09-2003, 01:35 AM
Trish Brown
 
Posts: n/a
Default Animals in the suburbs was Keeping snakes away

David Hare-Scott wrote:

I am no herpetologist but have you looked at why this snake sticks
around? Do you have a particularly good environment for snakes? Do you
supply their needs for food, water or shelter?


Dunno... He's been living under our house for nearly four years now, but
recently began travelling up and down the street. Various neighbours have
spotted him on odd occasions, sunning himself on their paths or slithering
through their lawns. When you hear the filthy Indian Mynahs go beserk, it's
generally him (we call him Snidely) being attacked! Luckily, none of our
neighbours is interested in killing Snidely, but there must be something keeping
him around! I know we've had hardly any mice since he's been living with us, so
that's A Good Thing!

We have them here down by the river, apparently they like creeks, ponds
and canals. I can't change the river (who would want to) so I tell
people to take care walking by it and to give the snake a chance to run
(slither?) away.


Yes, there's a creek nearby and we do get quite a bit of wildlife coming from
it. There are Brown Snakes in the creek banks and I'm *much* happier to have
this Red Belly than one of those! A herpetologist has come several times to try
and catch Snidely and relocate him, but each time the snake was too wily and got
away. Our only worry is that the dogs (there are several in yards along our
street) might get bold one day and either kill or be killed by the snake. Either
would be a shame!

Well, the only useful info our Snake-Catchit-Man could give was the bit about
the garden hose. He *strongly* recommended keeping away from the snake and said
Red Bellies are not as benign as some might think. They will attack if cornered
and they could be deadly, especially to a child or elderly person. As far as I'm
concerned, the snake is fine, keeping the mice away. I'd just be happier for his
and the dogs' safety if he had a different address!

I must admit, watching these blokes move along is hypnotic! The sinuous motion,
coupled with the independent movement of all those muscles - well - it's just
another example of the Wonders of Nature and its excellent adaptation to fit a
niche! While I'm on a roll, I must say that this year has been a great one for
us in terms of native wildlife. I've found we have a pair of Little Falcons
nesting nearby as well as Swamp Harriers, Long-Billed Corellas and Tawny
Frogmouths that visit regularly. More recently, I saw a Crested Hawk for the
first time in thirty years!

Along with all this, my Mum (lives a few blox away) has noticed the numbers of
Spotted Turtledoves visiting her garden has decreased suddenly while Crested
Pigeon numbers are up! I wonder why? Someone must have done something right!

--
Trish {|:-}
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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