Snake sightings soar in Murray Bridge as the reptiles seek higher ground

Murray Bridge’s flooded waterways are swarming with displaced snakes, with one home owner discovering 10 at his river property in just two hours, with another spotting five more in an hour.

Snake encounters are increasing in flood-affected river communities as the reptiles seek higher ground to escape rising water.

The SES issued a warning just before Christmas for residents along the River Murray as snakes make their way off the inundated flood plains and the sightings continue to rise.

A Murray Bridge woman said she saw five snakes in just one hour this week while in another part of town, The Advertiser understands 10 snakes entered the yard of residential property in the space of two hours.

Murray Bridge resident spotted five snakes in just an hour at a wetland reserve near her home. Picture: Tara Wilde

Murray Bridge resident Tara Wilde lives about 300 metres from wetlands and witnessed the snakes on the move first-hand earlier this week.

She saw five snakes in just one hour and managed to capture stunning photos of the reptiles on the move.

Ms Wilde said she believed the largest of the snakes – which she estimated to be up to two metres long – appeared to be leaving its den.

“I saw two brown snakes, two tiger snakes and a legless lizard in just an hour,” she said.

“People need to be conscious that they are there – I saw people jogging and little kids, I had to tell one family to stop; there is a brown snake there.”

Ms Wilde – a keen fisher familiar with the area’s ecosystem – said while the moving snakes posed a safety risk, the flooded plains had an upside with wildlife activity in the area booming.

“The wetland is across from the freeway bridge and when the banks broke and it started flooding it’s been beautiful, as long as your house isn’t affected but everything is part of the ecosystem and everything is important,” she said.

Murray Bridge resident spotted five snakes in just an hour at a wetland reserve near her home. Picture: Tara Wilde

“There are turtles and frogs down there, and plenty of mice coming out that are being flooded out - there are bearded dragons, swans everywhere and the dragon files are insane at the moment.

Murray Bridge resident spotted five snakes in just an hour at a wetland reserve near her home. Picture: Tara Wilde

“We’ve had a massive mosquito problem and the dragon files have bred so well, they eat over 100 mosquitoes each as well so they are doing a great job,”

Murraylands snake catcher David Dique said snake sightings would be higher than normal due to the flood event but stressed the reptiles would “not go looking for trouble”.

“Most of the time people don’t see them because they are shy creatures,” he said.

“For the most part, give them some respect, give them space and they will take off.”

Mr Dique – who is the only licensed snake catcher along the Murray – said if residents are concerned about snakes in their homes or posing immediate danger, to call a professional and not attempt to harm the animals.

“My advice to any one is to call a licensed snake catcher and get them to remove them safely and relocate them – they are protected species,” he said.

“For killing a snake, it’s a $10,000 fine and or a prison sentence.”