Spring is here, bringing warmer weather, longer days and plenty more activity throughout the natural world.
After the colder months, wildlife begins moving around more as animals search for food, shelter and, for many species, a mate. It’s a beautiful time to get outdoors, but it’s also an important time to remember that we share our environment with plenty of wildlife – including snakes.
As temperatures rise, reptiles become more active after spending much of winter sheltering from the cold. Snakes rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature, so those lovely warm spring days encourage them to emerge and start moving through their habitat.
That means we’re more likely to encounter snakes in gardens, paddocks, sheds, woodpiles and around our homes.
Spring is also an important breeding season for many Australian snake species. Snakes can travel further than usual while searching for a mate, and it isn’t uncommon to see more than one snake in an area. Males in particular may be quite active as they move around looking for females.
One thing I always want people to remember is that snakes do not set out to encounter people or pets. Like most wildlife, they would much rather avoid us.
A snake may become defensive if it feels threatened, cornered or unable to escape. If you see one, the safest thing you can do is keep your distance, move children and pets away from the area and contact a licensed snake catcher if necessary.
Never attempt to catch, kill or handle a snake yourself.
Of course, snakes aren’t the only ones enjoying spring. Birds are nesting, possums and other native mammals are becoming more visible, and lizards can often be spotted basking in the sunshine.
Unfortunately, all this extra movement also means an increased risk of wildlife being injured on our roads. Slowing down and taking a little extra care, particularly around dawn and dusk, can make a huge difference.
There are also some simple things you can do around home to reduce unwanted wildlife encounters. Keep grass and gardens maintained, remove rubbish and unnecessary clutter, and be mindful of piles of timber, sheets of metal and other materials that can provide great hiding places for animals – particularly snakes.
Spring is a wonderful reminder of just how much wildlife we have around us.
Not every animal is fluffy or cuddly, but every species has an important role to play. Snakes, for example, help control rodent populations and are an important part of Australia’s natural environment.
So, as we head into the warmer months, enjoy everything spring has to offer while respecting the wildlife sharing it with us. Stay alert, give animals space, slow down on the roads and make sure children know what to do if they encounter wildlife. A little knowledge and respect can go a long way towards making spring safer for both people and animals.
If you encounter wildlife that needs help, please contact WIRES or contact me directly on 0477 997 361.
– Stef
