Snake catcher warns against handling reptiles

IF THE recent media coverage on the prevalence of snakes has been enough to get your skin crawling, it might be worth listening to some words of wisdom from a bloke who deals with slippery reptiles for a living.

IF THE recent media coverage on the prevalence of snakes has been enough to get your skin crawling, it might be worth listening to some words of wisdom from a bloke who deals with slippery reptiles for a living.

Ipswich snake catcher Bryan Robinson said sightings were nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year, and it was common to see anything from harmless carpet pythons and tree snakes to the potentially deadly eastern browns in built up areas.

Venomous red-bellied black snakes are also common in the Ipswich area, and there have been several reports of bites that have resulted in people being taken to hospital for observation over the past few months.

As far as the QT is aware, the majority of incidents reported to paramedics did not result in the injection of venom into the victim.

Mr Robinson said there were about 3500 snake bites reported across Australia each year - the majority of which turned out to be harmless.

The good news is that only about 10% of snake bites result in envenomation.

Bryan Robinson with a red-bellied black snake. Photo: Contributed. Picture: Contributed

Figures from Ipswich Hospital confirmed that since September 1 last year, the emergency department had seen 35 patients with snake bites.

Of those cases, only four resulted in the patient having snake venom injected into their body - the remaining 31 were venomless bites.

"Eastern browns are common around Ipswich so what we are seeing at the moment is nothing unusual," Mr Robinson said.

"I've even caught them near Riverlink Shopping Centre. Snakes are opportunistic and the suburban environments cater for most species of snake."

After 20 years dealing with human and snake interaction, Mr Robinson can attest that the best way to get yourself bitten is to try to either pick up or kill a snake.

"There are greater concerns in life than a snake in your backyard," he said.

"There are snakes in backyards across Ipswich right now, but there is only a problem once we become aware of it being there.

"When humans interact with snakes is when you get an issue - 95% of bites occur when people try to catch or kill a snake.

"You are best to stand back and appreciate the animal while you can.

"It is does become a threat, that's when you should call a qualified snake catcher."

For first aid, St John Ambulance recommends the application of a pressure bandage in the event of a snake bite.

The bandage should run from the tip of the digits of the affected limb, right up towards the top of the arm or leg affected.

The limb should then be immobilised with a brace or by bandaging to the body or opposing leg.

Always phone Triple-0 in the event of a snake bite.

Snake catcher Andrew Smedley with a snake that was caught at Collingwood Park. Photo Inga Williams / The Queensland Times. Picture: Inga Williams