Cairns snake catchers ready for python explosion in warm weather

Wrangling a 5m python, removing a cranky brown tree or red bellied black snake is all in a day’s work for one man as the warmer weather brings out these slithering creatures.

Ah, the lovely spring weather is here, bringing sunny days, warmer nights and waking up all the snakes.

According to Cairns Snake Removals David Walton, 48, it’s the time of year when snakes are out and about.

“Now and into the next month is the time when snakes are out and about with males often brawling and fighting over breeding rights,” he said.

“From now on we kick off with snake season and will see even more activity when the temperatures rise into the night as we have lots of nocturnal species.”

Mr Wilson said he’s been very busy over the past few weeks.

“The three most common species we deal with are scrub pythons, brown tree snakes often called night tigers and red belly black snakes, “ he said.

“The amethystine or scrub python is the largest tropical snake in the country and usually run to 5m but I have seen one 5.5m long which weighed 30kg.

“We caught that snake which was the diameter of a 2 litre Coke bottle on a block behind the Mt Sheridan shopping centre where it had eaten a poor lady’s cat and there was no lump in the snake it was so thick.”

Cairns Snake Removals expert David Walton (right) with colleague Shaun Fichette, holds a beautiful python. Mr Walton said snakes are not normally aggressive unless they feel threatened or are cranky.

And while the sight of a 5m long python could cause the bravest of souls to quiver, Mr Walton said snakes are usually looking for a quiet life and only become aggressive when they feel threatened or annoyed.

”We generally see people bitten when they make foolish choices by taking matters into their own hands,” he said.

“Snakes do not bite for no reason and they want to avoid a confrontation if they can.”

Mr Walton said different suburbs in Cairns attract different snakes.

“The suburbs of Caravonica, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob and Freshwater have more taipans than other suburbs while the northern beaches on both sides of the highway often produce death adders,” he said,

“I always advise you need to seek medical attention regardless of what bites you unless you are an expert.”

Originally published as Cairns snake catchers ready for python explosion in warm weather