Redlands snake hotspots of 2020 revealed
A southeast Queensland snake catcher explains how COVID-19 has played a role in a season of unprecedented call outs with some truly impressive specimens popping up in this ritzy suburb.
Redlands Coast
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If your cat has unexpectedly gone missing at night there is a fair chance it may be in the belly of a snake.
So says Redland’s Snake Catcher’s Tony Morrison who has arrived at more than a few homes to find a household’s feline friend “half consumed”.
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It comes as a rip-roaring snake season shows no sign of let up in the Redlands.
“Since the start of September we have been very busy, just flat out,” Mr Morrison said.
“It was like all the snakes put out a memo and ‘bang’ we were on.”
With 25 years’ experience wrangling the reptiles in the Redlands Mr Morrison – Supa Tony to those in the know – has seen a plethora of slithering horror stories, but reports the most marked change has come via the pandemic.
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The snake catcher said with so many more residents working from home his phone has had an unprecedented workout, with some of the calls coming from most unexpected of locales.
Ritzy Raby Bay has seen a flurry of activity.
The snake catcher reckons the lure of juicy water rats at the prestigious canal community explains a series of recent call-outs for “some huge snakes”.
Unlike many other regions the Redlands’ semirural aspect means Mr Morrison gets call outs from a variety of suburbs, from areas typical – think Mount Cotton – to the aforementioned and unexpected Raby Bay.
The secret to the critters’ surprising spread and wide travel happens at night, according to the expert.
“If everyone went out at 8pm with a torch they would be amazed at what they would see and my phone would be glowing hot,” Mr Morrison said.
Nearing three decades in the trade Mr Morrison has an unabashed passion for the scaled creatures, which inspire primal fear in some.
A casual scroll through Redland’s Snake Catcher’s Facebook feed will awe fellow enthusiasts and raise the hair on those of more delicate constitution.
Mr Morrison was especially enthused by a recent desperate plea from a Cleveland resident shocked at the size of a carpet snake stretched out on her fence.
The “freaked out and screaming” resident was adamant that Mr Morrison intervene and refused his initial advice to let the snake find its own way.
The removal now features as one of the more impressive specimens released at bushland and makes for an enthralling video.
At over 8 feet long the “placid beauty” easily out sized an outstretched Mr Morrison.
All the more reason to keep kitty tucked in at night.
REDLANDS’ SNAKE HOTSPOTS
Mt Cotton
Redland Bay
Thornlands
TOP SNAKE SUBURBS ACROSS SOUTHEAST QLD