Slithering serpent hatchlings a tiny killer homeowners need to be aware of

THOUSANDS of dangerous and potentially deadly snakes are slithering through the Gold Coast putting homeowners at risk.

Snake catcher Andy Kington from Pommie Pythons with his Coastal Carpet python called Snappy at his Nerang home. Picture Glenn...

THOUSANDS of dangerous and potentially deadly snakes are slithering through the Gold Coast putting homeowners at risk.

A Gold Coast snake catcher has warned residents to stay away from the hordes of recently hatched serpents.

Andy Kington, owner of Pommie Pythons, said local snake catchers had been "run off their feet" dealing with the tiny killers.

"The snakes are so small that it makes them even more dangerous than their parents," he said. "People don't see them or in worse situations they underestimate them.

"Baby eastern brown snakes are just as poisonous as their parents but they do not look intimidating."

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital senior vet Dr Michael Pyne urged people to be wary of baby eastern brown snakes during the hatchling season.

"It amazes me how people get away with picking up young eastern brown snakes," he said. "They are extremely venomous and people pick them up and put them in boxes before driving them to us.

"You should never, ever touch a snake. The majority of people who die from snake bites are bitten after trying to handle one. Unfortunately, we get people every hatchling season who bring us extremely poisonous snakes."

Mr Kington said the worst was still to come with a second batch of summer hatchlings still on the way.

"Most snakes breed at the beginning of spring and produce hatchlings in time for summer," he said.

"When they hatch, they breed again and produce another batch before autumn. This year will be one of the biggest hatchling season in recent years. The dry weather has created perfect breeding conditions and it will lead to a huge boost in snake populations."

He said the worst hit suburb would be Robina.

The Nerang-based snake catcher said the region's floodplain created the perfect snake-breeding conditions.

"The floodplain behind Skilled Park Stadium attracts rats, mice and rabbits," he said.

"Snakes love feasting on them so their numbers are huge in the area."

For more visit pommiepythons.com