Rare orange brown snake found at Hinkler Central in Bundaberg

A Bundaberg snake catcher was called to one of the city’s most bustling shopping precincts after reports a stunning bright orange snake had stopped by. The sighting is part of a lead-up to the busy summer season.

It looks more like a candy snake than a real reptile, but the Fanta-orange serpent that slithered into Bundaberg’s Hinkler Central shopping centre car park is the real deal.

Snake catcher Jake Stinson was called in to relocate the stunning creature after it crossed the road and hung out in front of shops on Electra St.

The snake is in fact an eastern brown, which Mr Stinson says can come in all shades from brown to black and orange and even red.

While Mr Stinson does encounter orange snakes from time to time, catching around four or five, he said it was the most orange one he had ever seen.

“I’ve never had one that orange,” he said.

This Fanta orange snake was found in the Hinkler Central car park, one of the busiest areas of the Bundaberg CBD, before being found in front of shops on Electra St and safely relocated back into the wild.

Mr Stinson said the Bundaberg region was lucky to have an array of colourful brown snakes, including golden bronze and jet black, but the colourful snakes were often most at risk from birds and people.

Albino snakes are particularly at risk because of their glow.

The sighting of the bright orange critter in the CBD is part of the region’s typical snake season, however, Mr Stinson believes increasing development, population and land clearing is leading to more snake interactions with humans as they visit homes seeking shelter.

A mouse plague in Queensland has also helped fatten up and feed snakes.

“They’re running out of their habitat,” Mr Stinson said.

Hinkler Central shopping mall, Bundaberg. A bright orange, highly venomous eastern brown took a trip to the shops recently.

Mr Stinson’s advice remains to treat snakes with caution, respect and where possible to let them go on their way.

“Don’t kill snakes,” he said.

“Always call an expert. A lot of them look like brown snakes and end up getting chopped and replaced by a brown snake.”

Mr Stinson says snakes are curious creatures, and despite the dangers, he loves his job.

“I’m more scared of disappointing a customer,” he said.

“Here in Bundaberg they get into so many situations.”

Jake Stinson is the region's youngest snake catcher and in summer he can receive up to 15 calls or more per day.

A python pays a visit to Mark Herron's home in Bundaberg.

Jake Stinson relocated these two whip snakes from Moore Park Beach, but they returned to their favourite place again the next day.

Melanie Jane captured this image of a pregnant python in Bundaberg recently.

According to the snake catcher, snakes also remember their favourite sunbaking spots. He recently relocated a playful pair of whip snakes who had taken up sunbathing on Moore Park Beach and liked their place in the sun so much they came right back.

“They just kind of know it’s a good sunbaking place, sometimes they won’t move till the tide clobbers them,” Mr Stinson said.

Expected to last until around April, it’s set to be a busy snake season in the region, with sightings in town just as possible as out in the country.

“They’re not out to get us, and prefer to go unseen,” Mr Stinson said.

Marissa Pirovano recently shared this photo of a snake visiting her yard in Bundaberg.

Vets warn pet owners to be vigilant

Sugarland Animal Hospital recently issued a critical warning over the number of dogs they had treated for snake bites recently.

The warning was triggered after one weekend when the local surgery treated six cases of snake bite in just two days.

“Snakes are well and truly out and about with this warm weather in the Bundaberg area so pet owners must be vigilant,” the statement said.

Jake Stinson says snakes aren't out to get anyone and just want to go on their way.

“Please ensure you have your yard and anywhere else you pet may spend time well maintained and avoid walking them in areas with long grass, etc.”

They reminded pet owners to get their pets to a vet as soon as possible if they suspected snake bite.

“The earlier we start treatment, the much higher survival rate for your pet so please do not delay and look out for the signs,” they said.

The signs your pet may have been bitten by a snake include (but are not limited to):

• Sudden collapse followed by recovery
• Lethargy
• Weakness in the limbs
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors or shaking
• Paralysis
• Bleeding from nose or mouth
• Blood in urine or stool
• Inability to control their bladder
• Seizures
• Excessive panting

Very often when pets are first bitten they collapse and show symptoms but do bounce back and appear fine before more serious symptoms start.

Vets often now have venom detection kits and do not need the snake to test for treatment.