Gold Coast snake catcher inundated after storms cause huge spike in snakes
The Gold Coast has been overrun by snakes – including deadly eastern browns – following a series of storms. See which suburbs are at most risk.
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First came the mosquitoes, then the frogs – now snakes are inundating the Gold Coast in the wake of wet weather.
Gold Coast Snake Catcher – South East Reptile Relocations owner Mitch Thorburn said, since the Christmas Day storms, there had been a huge spike in snakes turning up in unexpected places.
“I’ve caught potentially 50 to 60 snakes in the past two weeks,” he said.
“It comes down to a few things – but especially frogs and rodents have been a lot more active after the rain and a lot of familiar sheltering spots (for snakes) have been disturbed during the storm.”
Mr Thornburn said red-bellied black snakes, who feed primarily on frogs, had been the most common snake found in areas such as Arundel, Coombabah, Pimpama and Ormeau.
He has also seen a spike in the extremely venomous eastern brown snake.
“And we’re finding them literally anywhere you can imagine – kitchens, lawnmowers, bird cages, beds,” he said.
“People without power have been leaving their doors open too for airflow, or people’s fences are laying around, so snakes are definitely getting in.
“Snakes are hiding under all the debris lying around everywhere.”
Mr Thornburn urged Gold Coasters not to try catch or kill snakes by themselves.
“Eastern brown snakes are incredibly fast and nervous snakes. They don’t tolerate being harassed,” he warned.
“The most important thing I would say is, if you find a snake, just keep your eyes on it and call me – don’t try to catch or kill it.
“We’ve seen a lot of people who have suffered the consequences of their poor actions, so I strongly advise against that.”
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