As the temperatures are rising in Sydney, so too are your chances of encountering a snake in your home, backyard, or even at the shops! Just yesterday, a Diamond Python was spotted in the spice aisle at a Sydney supermarket.
Snakes are more active as the weather warms up and following the recent temperature increase in Sydney, snakes have been more frequently spotted, they’re likely looking for a good feed to get their energy levels up as they prepare for their breeding season, which occurs in spring and summer.
To help prepare locals for a potential encounter, Keepers from WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo share tips on how to keep safe this snake season:
- Leave the snake alone! Remember snakes are shy and generally will not attack unless provoked, so try and give the snake space
- If you spot a snake while you’re in the bush, it’s important to understand that this is their backyard and it is best to just leave them be!
- If you spot a snake in your home, try and stay calm, remove all family members and pets from the room, shut the door, and fill the gap under the door with a towel. Then contact a local, licensed snake or animal handler and will be able to remove it safely
- If you come across a snake at the supermarket, again, do not touch or provoke the snake, alert the staff immediately – who can also contact an animal handler
- In the instance that you or your kids see a snake, never touch them. A Diamond Python will only ever react if provoked, but you should always keep a safe distance
The Diamond Python is one of the most commonly spotted snakes in Sydney and gets its name from the array of diamond patterns found on its skin. Whilst these snakes can often be found in the bush, as well as people’s roofs and backyards, like all pythons they are non-venomous and do not pose a fatal threat. In fact, they are quite handy in ridding your backyard of unwanted pests!
Aussies can learn more about Australian snake species and other animals at: https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/explore/our-animals/snakes/
