Snake season begins: Reptiles terrify residents, pets, livestock across Warwick

Snakes have been making unwelcome appearances across the Southern Downs in growing frequency, showing that snake season is well and truly starting earlier this year. Read the Warwick residents’ accounts sparking debate.

A delay in rising temperatures this year in Warwick and the Southern Downs has prolonged the arrival of snake season, but one catcher has issued a warning after an incident where a pig was bitten.

Residents were alarmed when Rebekah Kampe shared on social media that she had found a five-foot-long Spotted Black snake.

Commenters were quick to identify the snake, which Ms Kampe initially believed was an Eastern Brown snake, as the Spotted Black also known as the Blue-bellied black snake.

The snake that found its way onto Rebekah Kampe's property in Warwick (Photo: Facebook)

“Pretty sure the snake in your pic is a spotted black snake”, one commenter said.

The snake caused havoc on Ms Kampe’s property, with the reptile launching at her dog and missing before biting her pig.

“The sow got bitten on the face - the vet said she was unlikely to survive, she is still amazingly alive 36 hours later,” Ms Kampe wrote.

Experts believe that due to the cold weather sticking around longer than usual, the height of snake season is likely to be not seen for a while.

Warwick knows the dangers of the slippery reptiles all two well. Within two months, two people died by snake bite in 2011.

Gunter Glaser from Darling Downs Snake Catcher 24/7 said that snakes can be anywhere, they have adapted to residential living because that’s where the food is.

“Their territory isn’t very big, they don’t come from the bush, they were born in the residential area where I relocate them from,” Mr Glaser said.

Gunter Glaser from Darling Downs Snake Catchers 24/7. (Photo: Tobi Loftus)

Here’s what to do if you see a snake this spring or summer from the experts:

Season:

The main season for snake activity starts in August and slows down in May said Mr Glaser.

If you see a snake:

“If a snake is seen, keep an eye on it, to see if it moves on,” Mr Glaser said.

“ When a snake is outside, it’s usually gone by the time I get there. When it’s in a confined space, like a shed or in the home, there’s a good chance of catching it.”

If you get bitten by a snake:

“A snake will usually only bite if it is grabbed or a person confronts it- if bitten, apply a pressure bandage and call an ambulance.”