Gold Coast snake catcher Tony Harrison: ‘Breeding balls’ rife as season heats up
One snake catcher is reporting ‘multiple breeding balls’ of snakes around the Gold Coast. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW >>>
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BALLS of mating snakes are on the move as breeding season heats up, with one catcher reporting multiple sightings around the Gold Coast.
The term “snake ball” refers to the ball of snakes that is formed when mating snakes coil on top of each other.
Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher Tony Harrison said coming across one was not uncommon during snake breeding season, which usually starts in October.
“There’s been multiple breeding balls where you turn up for one snake and walk out with a few,” he said.
“We’re getting a couple of these per day in the Gold Coast.”
The Australian Reptile Park has confirmed an early start to the season this year after a recent spike in snake sightings.
Mr Harrison said Gold Coasters could expect to see more snakes out and about during breeding season.
Carpet pythons, green tree snakes and eastern brown snakes are most commonly found in southeast Queensland.
Suburbs undergoing a lot of development will have more snake sightings because the reptiles are being disturbed, Mr Harrison said.
Because there is so much development going on across the Coast, this makes it difficult to pinpoint locations with the most snake sightings.
“Everywhere is being developed around the Gold Coast because of people moving up from Melbourne and Sydney,” the Gold Coast snake catcher said.
“The two things snakes want are food and refuge.
“Snakes will hang around retaining walls because food is there and they can be protected from predators.”
Mr Harrison said people should not attempt to catch a snake on their own.
He suggested taking a quick photo of the reptile, which can then be sent to a snake catcher for verification of its breed.
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