One of the questions I get asked regularly is about the reptiles people find around their homes and gardens. While snakes often get most of the attention, we are actually lucky to have a wide variety of lizards living throughout the Central West.
Some of the more common species include blue-tongue lizards, Cunningham’s skinks and various garden skinks. Different areas will naturally have different species, but they all play an important role in our local ecosystem.
These helpful reptiles are fantastic pest controllers. They feed on snails, slugs, mosquitoes and a range of other insects that can cause problems around the home and garden. If you have a veggie patch, don’t be surprised if they occasionally have a nibble there too, but the benefits they provide generally far outweigh any minor damage.
One thing I often hear is that people thought they had seen a snake, only to discover it was actually a lizard. This happens more often than you might think. Sometimes all you hear is rustling in the garden and catch a glimpse of scales disappearing into the bushes.
In those situations, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. If you can’t clearly identify what you’re looking at, don’t go searching for it. Instead, keep a safe distance and contact a licensed snake catcher to check it for you.
If possible, stay nearby and keep an eye on where it goes so it doesn’t disappear before help arrives. If you later realise it is a blue-tongue or another harmless lizard, the catcher can still assist with relocation if needed, particularly if there are risks from dogs, cats or curious people. Otherwise, it may be perfectly safe to leave it where it is.
There is also an old myth that having lizards around will keep snakes away. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true. In fact, many lizards are actually on the menu for larger snakes. However, lizards can help keep populations of baby mice, rats and even young rabbits under control. Having lizards in your yard doesn’t mean you’ll attract snakes.
Another common misconception is snake deterrents. You may see them advertised online or in hardware stores, but in my experience, they simply don’t work. They often provide nothing more than a false sense of security.
As we move through the cooler months, remember that snakes are still around. Gardening, moving firewood, cleaning sheds and other outdoor jobs can accidentally disturb them as they seek shelter.
Stay alert, wear appropriate footwear and gloves when working outside, and never reach into places you can’t see.
If you need advice or assistance, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0477 997 361.
By STEF LESSER – SNAKE GURU
A Special Congratulations
Before we finish this month, we’d like to send our sincere congratulations to Stef and Patrick on their recent nuptials. As a familiar face in our community and a valued contributor to the Village Voice, Stef has shared her knowledge and passion with readers for many years. We know many people across the Central West will join us in wishing Stef and Patrick every happiness as they begin this exciting new chapter together. Congratulations to you both.
