Snake sightings surprising Ocean Road visitors
Holidaymakers have been warned to be on lookout after a tiger snake and a brown snake was spotted in Lorne.
Geelong
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Ocean Road holidaymakers got the fright of their lives over the weekend with two more serpent surprises.
A brown snake and a tiger snake were spotted frolicking by the water in Lorne, spooking holidaymakers from their day in the sun.
In videos shared on local influencer Jacqueline Felgate’s Instagram, a brown snake can be seen swimming through the water.
Later, the tiger snake was spotted slithering at the water’s edge.
Local snake catcher Darren Keiller said he has been called out to 30 snake sightings across various Geelong suburbs since the start of December, including one in a two-month-old baby’s bedroom.
In just this past week alone, Mr Keiller said he has received a number of other calls from Point Lonsdale through to Lara.
At least one was spotted inside a house in Meredith.
With snake sightings not likely to end any time soon, Mr Keiller told holidaymakers to “keep an eye out and be observant on what’s on plants and rocks” around the region’s waterways.
He warned them that all snakes can swim but to be on the lookout for tiger snakes and copperheads across Greater Geelong.
Mr Keiller added that just because a snake may have disappeared from sight, they can still swim under water for about 15 minutes.
“If they see one in the water, move away,” Mr Keiller said.
“All snakes are deaf, (it) doesn’t matter how much noise you make. Vibrations are useless unless you’re on floorboards.
He said the next best thing to do is use a snakes sense of smell against it, with heavy aftershave or perfume likely to deter the potentially deadly reptiles.
A tiger snake was recently spotted slithering out of a sandcastle on Wye River beach near children late last week.
Geelong mother Mia Toy said she found the 1.5m snake and ran to alert the lifeguards who “looked at me a little dumbfounded”.
“They got on the radio to wildlife and it ended up just slithering down the river,” Ms Toy said.
As for what to do when someone is bitten, Mr Keiller said it is important to lie down and call triple-0 immediately.
“If it is known where the bite occurred, mark this with an X and apply a pressure bandage to the limb.
“Do not wash or suck the bite site.
“Splint the limb with anything you have available and remain lying down until help arrives.”
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Originally published as Snake sightings surprising Ocean Road visitors
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