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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 |
#2
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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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