What Are You Supposed to Do if You See a Snake?

[Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 15:45
Last edited 22/04/2019 - 19:04 by 1 other user

I've been having recurring nightmares of coming face-to-face with a snake while going for a run. So , just in case its some kind of premonitory dream :$ , what should I do?

12/08 : Edited to add a question.

We've recently moved to a new place with a massive garden . There are several outbuildings on the property: a shed, a guest house and a gym. Lots of flower scrubs around the guest house. This morning I noticed a couple of "solar snake repellers" around the property. I've always assumed that they were just solar lights. Do these things work? Does that mean that there are snakes brumating around/ under /inside the buildings, waiting for the first day of spring to come out?

Is that what my subconsious has been trying to tell me? O.O

Poll Options

  • 117
    Run for my life
  • 19
    Play dead
  • 30
    Crane-style Kung-fu moves a la Michelle Yeoh
Sports & Outdoors

Comments

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 23:26

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          100% NOT a snake.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 08:07

          @Tas: Cute :)
          I've a hot date friday night. Her (?) name is Isabella. She's a mate's pet snake. What should I bring the lady?

        • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 10:15
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: Enjoy. Pleased for / proud of you.

          A very good chance that you'll be far more transfixed by the beauty of the scales and the python or other patterns, than you will be scared.

          What should I bring the lady?

          Cold-blooded. Winter. Think incorrigible CBFHC (Cold-Blooded-Female-Human-Creature) getting into bed with perpetually frozen feet.
          Isabella will just love a bit of your body heat.

          If you're not too freaked (I'm sure you'll be fine).

          Visualise Isabella in quokka-form, if necessary!

        • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 21:51

          @Tas:

          I went today. Isabella is the most dangerous looking female I've ever seen.She was very active. I thought it would be hibernating/brumating. She wasn't. There was no way I was going to cuddle her.

          I was sweating so much but that could have been because the whole house was a balmy 32degrees. I suspect that Davo lets her roam around the house freely when he doesn't have guests coming over.

          Can't remember much of what Davo said: something about carpet snake, diamond, 2.5m (maybe less. It looked huge!), prefers live mice rather than frozen, might mistake the hand that feeds it for a prey…that's when I walked out.

          EWWW! EWWW! EWWW! it was just EWWWW! but kind of fascinating at the same time. If only it had been sleeping, I might have enjoyed our interaction more. sigh

          Apologies for letting you down, Tas.

          Edit: Kids want to see uncle Davo's snake. That's just sound so wrong…

          Edit 2: Wiki is moving back in. She'll be staying in the guest house at the back of the property. Guest house which might b snake infested comes spring (see my edit in OP).She comes from a country where the scariest animal is a coulevre (typhlops Typhlopidae).

          So….should I tell her about my suspicion ( based mostly a recurring dream I've been having) that that place is soon going to be infested with snakes? That would be the surest way of getting her to move back into the masterbedroom, wouldn't it?

        • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 23:21
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: Oh, well…
          The close-quarters rendezvous with Bella was worth a try. It sounds as if your twins will be less concerned than Dad was. Maybe you can supervise that meeting, from a distance, but maybe (hopefully) a little closer than necessitates the use of binoculars…

          Your last paragraph, in and of itself, sounds snake-like sneaky, and is an excellent idea. Hopefully not necessary, though.

          As for your edited main post - and if only for reasons of the placebo effect, as relates you, I do think that you should whole-heartedly believe that those snake-repeller spikes work a treat. Maybe buy some more - in bulk (!) - or, better, bribe a city councillor, that then sees them located, strategically, along your running route.

          Still, um, likely unnecessary.

          Sleep (well) on that idea, Jar Jar.

          'night.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 08:49
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          Good+'day, a.k.a G'day.

          I just re-read that sleepy-write of mine. Nothing sarcastic in it (more than usual, anyway), or malevolent in the absence of 'good' from 'night', in case you were wondering. Force of habit abbreviation.

          Different kind of 'good' - Just recalled a spam email from Kogan flogging those solar snake repellers.
          Must be good.
          If anyone knows about reptiles…

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 10:32
          +1

          @Tas:
          The Mrs was over last night. Was busy

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 22:13

          @Tas: Busy…talking . we're getting divorced. We're not going to file the paperwork just yet though. So consorce it is in the meantime.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 22:41
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: This all edited down:

          Shit.

          I don't even want to know the details. Maybe make your edit to the other thread brief.

          You two are, were, quite a pair.

          You do seem sanguine about it, mate, but it is indeed sad.

  • Marcsie on 11/08/2015 - 09:21
    +1

    Catches it, take it home and cooks it :)

  • ShanB on 11/08/2015 - 09:23
    +1

    Hi Jar Jar,
    Last year at Coffs harbour near the jetty, when walking back to the car to collect few things I noticed something moving near my feet. I didn't stop kept walking then turned back it was a brown snake which was 6 inches away from my feet and I was wearing a beach sandals. I might have been lucky but usually they try to avoid and hide. So no sudden movement and you should be OK.

  • anawth on 11/08/2015 - 10:57
    +1

    I take all of my advice from "the Sopranos" - “The other thing with bears is, if you’re ever attacked by one, run downhill. For some reason, they can’t do that.”
    note - replace bears with snakes.

  • spackbace on 11/08/2015 - 10:58
    +2

    The Black Mamba is also the fastest land snake in the world, able to reach speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour (20kph). However it uses this speed to escape danger, rather than catch prey

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHt0ZiaSXo4

    • bargainslut on 15/08/2015 - 02:29

      Well that's nothing to worry about because humans walk way faster than 12 mph. If we even bothered to jog it would be men against boys!

  • riyazsha on 11/08/2015 - 12:22
    +2

    Take a selfie with snake and if I am alive then post it in Facebook, lol :)

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 12:48
    +4

    Had a similar event recently; while bush walking. The snake basically slithered across the feet of one walker, the second in line narrowly missed treading on it, and didn't even notice, and I came last, able to safely enjoy the spectacle.

  • ramshead on 11/08/2015 - 13:21
    +4

    You're so lucky, I just dream about ladders.

  • bocca on 11/08/2015 - 15:04
    +1

    it's illegal to handle a snake ;)

  • w0lf on 11/08/2015 - 16:24
    +4

    Living in a country area I have nearly stepped on a few brown snakes. The first one was crossing a path in front of me, I just stopped and it went on its way. Second one I was walking along, didn't see it until I just about stepped on it. Luckily it must have given the snake a fright too as he shot down a hole next to it before I even had a chance to think about running. Third time, opened a shed door and a snakes head popped out of a small gap between sheets of tin on the shed. I just sort of looked at him for a second before I realised what I was looking at and then ran. Luckily it it actually got its head stuck in between the tin and it couldn't move any further. Had to pay a snake catcher to come get it. Snake catcher turned up in singlet, shorts and thongs. Made me look like a bit of a wimp..

  • Cluster on 11/08/2015 - 16:25

    If the snake offers me an apple I would stop to have a chat and nibble.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 16:53

    Having the name Jar Jar Binks you should repetitively try nut slapping it.

  • destruction on 11/08/2015 - 17:57

    If you have kids or pets and its in your yard kill it. Otherwise leave it be.

    • swilso on 11/08/2015 - 17:59
      +3

      Just don't tell anyone as that would actually be illegal.

  • swilso on 11/08/2015 - 17:58
    +2

    Just don't step on it and keep running. More often than not the snake will know you're there first. I've come across many black and brown snakes on properties and they've never been a hassle.

  • Hirolol on 11/08/2015 - 18:14

    snakes are mor scared of you mate.
    if you walk into snake infested areas as you walk and take each step make sure you stomp.
    then they will be scared to come out.

  • Baysew on 11/08/2015 - 18:14
    +3

    What are you supposed to do if you see a snake?

    Check Ozbargain for free Udemy course on speaking Parseltongue.

  • Serapis on 11/08/2015 - 19:40

    Option 4: Smack it on the head and roast it on a fire / cook it in stew / eat raw Bear Grylls style + make a snake skin pouch

    Believe it or not, snake actually tastes okay

  • lonix on 11/08/2015 - 21:30
    +1

    I thought I saw a snake today in the bushes behind work, jumped a little, then realised it was a blue tongue lizard

  • fruxo on 11/08/2015 - 22:47

    My first time in Australia, walking along some narrow track with trees and bushes etc on the sides (just a small patch in inner suburb), I came across what I until this day thought was a rattlesnake. By the time I got camera (phone) up, it had slithered into some pile of brush cuttings on the side of the road.

    What I in my infinite wisdom did, desperate for a photo having never seen a snake except really tiny non-venomously ones, was to grab a stick and start poking. Hoping I would find him again as I couldn't see him under all the cuttings. Unfortunately (?) I never did find him again.

    After googling it now and realising there's no rattle snakes in Australia, I'm REALLY annoyed I have no photo as I'm curious what kind of snake it was. Maybe it was hissing and not rattling, I don't know, it all happened so fast. But to answer your question, you should probably just keep your distance and not do what I did.

    I've never had dreams about snakes, but for as long as I can remember I've had reoccurring nightmares about crocodiles / alligators. No idea why. Several times they've been big enough to literally tear down the house where we have locked ourselves in. Dreams are random.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 07:12
      +1

      Not impossible to be a rattler, eg maybe imported wildlife, lab, illegal job and escaped. Generally a rattler is very distinctive look and its rattle is loud rhythmic and distinct. I grew up in California and saw many. Don't poke! Unless you're feeling lucky, or want to Billy Jack it..

  • skyva on 11/08/2015 - 23:24

    I have come across two "snakes" in the bush:
    1. running through the bush behind school. By the time I saw its scaly body I was on top of it and jumped over it, too much momentum to stop or divert. It jumped up to bite me. Turned out to be a long scaly blue tongue lizard but scared me witless.

    2.walking the dog along a bush track. I saw a snake, again too late and I was on top of it before I stopped. Turned out to be snake skin shed recently. No snake.

    Lesson: by the time you see it, it is likely you will just react. They really blend in. Otherwise back slowly away.

    I have had an actual snake in the front yard, so i called a snake catcher. He lives just around the corner…. Anyway, just a friendly tiger snake going for a slither. It really didn't want anything to do with me or my dog which bailed it up. It just wanted out but unfortunately it was headed for my shed so I needed to make sure it left the property.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 07:32

      2.walking the dog along a bush track. I saw a snake, again too late and I was on top of it before I >stopped. Turned out to be snake skin shed recently. No snake.

      Reminds me of snorkeling in WA reefs. Out came a freaking four foot sharks head. I panicked a lot, moments later I saw the straggly guts hanging out the back end. Apparently fishermen likely dumped it.

      Rather dream of snakes.

  • cryptos on 12/08/2015 - 01:22
    +4

    One route I ride my bike invokes a shared path along a lake with thick bush lands around, in the warmer months I frequently encounter snakes on the path and am now convinced I will one day not notice one ( twigs and tree shade obscure it) and ride over it getting caught up in my bike pissing it off and getting bitten on the leg.

    I also pass a large gum tree and get chased by a magpie up a steep hill, great encouragement.

    Both appear more welcoming than your average motorist :)

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 08:09

      :)

  • mirridon on 12/08/2015 - 08:20
    +1

    Gotta just stand still. It may even slither up you, which is a freaky thought. Probably the only thing I remember on a trip to the zoo. The wildlife handler said to stand still, and pretend to be a tree. He also said to run like hell if you see a Goanna, because if you stand still the lizard will attempt to 'run up onto you'. Which the thought of those claws is just terrifying.

  • mightyfes on 12/08/2015 - 09:07

    parseltongue

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 09:08
    +1

    I see them some times on the bike track. They are usually just in the sun getting warm. The black/red ones generally run away. The brown ones are seriously more dangerous. Give any snake plenty of room, Stay safe.

  • This Guy on 12/08/2015 - 09:33
    +1

    I run. I've come across basking snakes twice while running. I jumped both.

    In both cases they were right in front of me when I noticed them. If I tried to stop or turn around I would have had to step on them.

    I also run though waist high grass. I just run faster and hope for the best.

    That said, I run down mountain trails (I'm not fit enough to run up) and along rocky shores. I'm used to taking last minute half steps while running to leap across obstacles.

    Trail running is fun as hell and addictive. Focus on the ground in front of you and you'll be right.

  • Paul Atreides on 12/08/2015 - 09:55

    stop looking down

  • Anth0ny on 12/08/2015 - 10:35

    in the spirit of ozbargainers, SNAKE = FREE MEAL

  • melbstheburn on 12/08/2015 - 10:55
    +3

    tuck it back into your pants

  • sparkles on 12/08/2015 - 11:12
    +2

    Can confirm what I actually really did when I saw a snake out the front of my house. Run. Scream. Scream some more. Call everyone. Snake! Snake! Snake! Point. Scream. Grab weapon. Wish I had something better. Watch it slither away. It was a red belly black snake. I'd probably do exactly the same if it happened again. It's genuinely frightening, especially when unexpected.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 11:24

      Clever woman :-)

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 13:47

      +1 for the cute description, sparkles.

      Could almost hear the screams from here!

  • CLoSeR on 12/08/2015 - 11:58
    +1

    Depends on the snake..

  • WalletMoth on 12/08/2015 - 13:27
    +1

    When I was young I worked as a grounds keeper and came about 10cm from treading on a snake. There were lots of sticks around, so I didn't notice until the last minute. (I noticed the stick was moving.) Anyway it was crossing in front of me, generally a snake will not strike you unless it feels threatened or you tread on it. I quickly backed up about 2 metres or so, and let it keep going. It stopped about 5 metres away and had a look around then continued into the bush.

    It as probably around 2 metres and definitely a brown snake.

  • FittyFitty on 12/08/2015 - 14:07

    Step on the head and keep running mate… HTFU!

  • Abaddon on 12/08/2015 - 15:02

    Have you seen Soldier (1998)

    Hit it with a shoe, even a baby can do it

  • Abaddon on 12/08/2015 - 15:05
    +1

    Got chased by a tiger (snake) once, jumped up on a large rock and it gave up.

    Perhaps roll an Indiana Jones style boulder to work and back. You could jump up on it if it doesn't make a snakeskin bookmark for you.

    I also got bitten while swimming one Christmas day, not sure what kind of snake it was but I didn't die, though my foot swelled up to the size of my head.

  • Brucet on 12/08/2015 - 16:41

    RUN ..lol

  • devnull73 on 12/08/2015 - 17:49
    +1

    In bush, leave it alone.

    Near your home, grab a shovel. Hide the evidence.

  • mousie on 12/08/2015 - 18:58
    +1

    Call Samuel L muthafkin Jackson

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 19:49
    +2

    Snakes scary, dangerous, yes but as a herpetologist ( google it if you need too) have been working with snakes for over 30 years. Why do they call them the wise ones because they are they will rarely attack unless provoked. The warmer the temp the more active they will be, most encounters with them are while they are sleeping if you step on one then you have a problem. Ground dwelling snakes are more often than not venomous but some are more aggressive than others eg: Brown snakes are very aggressive and able to leap 3 times their body length these are the ones that give me nightmares. Most others are happy to see you go in any direction, adders tigers red bellys are of this type. So several bits of advice garnered from catching and tagging snakes all over the world. When temps are high be hyper vigilante, in winter chill out they are hibernating, if you encounter a snake in the bush just keep going, they have 3 active senses vibration / heat / sight their worst sense is sight but within several meters they can see you. Having kept heaps as pets of ex research snakes I can say they might not be a dog but do become affectionate family members… weird but true
    I had a 6 meter long tiger snake as thick as an arm that would seek out any visitors lap and curl up and go to sleep there. She was so cool RIP… Prudence.
    So before killing that snake remember that they are part of our ecosystem. If in doubt and it is in your backyard call wires or the national parks they have folks that will come and relocate it for you. I find possums more of a problem…

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 20:25

      herpetologist

      The study of Herpes? :p

      I would never kill a snake. We don't even kill cockroaches or spiders in my house. We catch them and release them outside.

      Edit: I briefly dated a batracologist (sp?).It didn't work. I was prince charming. She was into frogs :(

      • maximum on 12/08/2015 - 21:56
        +2

        My sister used to go to a herpes support group - when she was getting a licence for a bearded dragon. At least that's what her daughter used to tell people.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 09:24
        +1

        We don't even kill cockroaches and spiders in my house. We catch them and release them outside.

        I'm fine with the spider-sparing, but with the exception of the very rarely seen Australian species, any cockroach you see is a feral species.

        As relates those buggers, the only 'good' cockroach is a dead cockroach.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 20:26
        +1

        kill all cockroaches they are are an introduced species, cool trivia…did you know that they can survive without their heads for up to a week. You are doing everyone a favour.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 21:04

          what if there were no roaches?
          Edit: is it true that some snakes can keep their bite reflex up to an hr after death?

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 21:58

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          From the last sentence in that article:

          In short, we really, really need cockroach poop.

          Yep, JJB - American cockroach poop in America, and the other main invasive cocky business - the German one's - in Germany!

  • imcold on 12/08/2015 - 19:59

    Ok how about this one. Buy a snake.. keep it as a pet.. And one day take it for a run.

    That way your premonition would have occurred.. If not you probably learn a thing or two about how to handle snakes.. like don't let your fingers get caught in its mouth.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 22:55

    No matter where she goes a snake will always be nearby.

  • OldSchoolHarry on 12/08/2015 - 23:02

    carry a dead rat with you all times. If you see a snake throw it near it and let it feast on rat instead of your soul.

  • Mumbles on 12/08/2015 - 23:27
    +2

    Its middle of Winter so its the safest time of year. Snakes are cold blooded creatures and aren't active in the colder seasons. Depending on where you live they won't come out until Summer.

    If you need peace of mind then call around each of the community services and see when they last heard of a snake bite.
    Eg:
    - National Park Ranger.
    - Your local Hospitals Emergency/Casualty triage nurse.
    - Animal Control (local council).
    - RSPC.
    - Local Vetinarian (ask when was the last injured Snake to be turned in).
    - Local Police.
    - Ask your neighbours living along the tree line / national park.

    Even rural farmers have more chances of dying by a truck than from a snake bite. Australia is the largest exporter of snake anti-venom. Our hospitals never run out of the stuff.

  • Geewhizz on 13/08/2015 - 05:36
    +2

    Have just seen your edited post JJB. No, those snake scarer do hickies don't work. A friend who lives on a property nearby had one near the house, but snakes continued to come. They now have guinnea fowl who do a fairly good job of keeping them (snakes) away from the house.

    Given that the scarers are there though, it would seem there are highly likely snakes who frequent the garden. Don't fret about it. Simply be aware that they may be there - if you're gardening, don't reach under shrubs without first checking there's not someone resting under it, and if you're scraping mulch away from somewhere, consider that there may be one hiding in there, so take precautions.

    Something as simple as placing a water source as far from the house as is practical can keep them away, as they often come in looking for water.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 17:47
      +1

      Thank you

  • NeilBritto on 13/08/2015 - 07:11
    +1

    Option 1. I am really afraid of snakes.

  • figarow on 13/08/2015 - 10:32
    -1

    Shovel chop, Birdshot or Polypipe all work well.

  • AssamLaksa on 13/08/2015 - 11:39
    +2

    I would recommend using a ground or psychic type pokemon. Just use confuse ray to confuse it then psybeam/psychic to lower some HP. Don't forget to bring some pokeballs and/or antidote!

  • seefu on 13/08/2015 - 11:51
    +2

    I commonly run into snakes at work as I trudge through the bush a fair bit up here in the NT.

    Most snakes will slither away from footsteps as most have said above.

    I've had a face off with a 2m olive python on my rural block driveway once.
    He was moving towards the house and I'd just come home so I drove around him and went to face him.
    Whilst I stood there, he was happy to edge closer. As soon as I started stomping my feet, he'd stop pause but when I stopped, he started getting closer again but when I started stomping towards him, he backed off and slithered away onto a mango tree never to be seen by me or anyone else at home again.

    Other tips with handling snakes. Tree snakes can be aggressive so try stay on their tail end and scare them off that way, don't try to scare them away from their head leading side, their bike will make you feverish.
    Pythons are usually lazy and easy to handle but if you pick one up, don't take a photo of it with flash. I've had one try and bite my camera before whilst I was holding the snake and a friend took a picture.
    Stay well away from browns. Most will run away from you but King Browns might pursue you so if you try to scare it off. Just run from those and when you're a safe distance away, keep an eye on it and call the local snake/reptile handler or ranger.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 20:33
      +1

      You can avoid any problem with a python by facing off with a flat hand / palm with them as they are unable to latch on to you, unless you are experienced do not try to handle a snake of any type. I have been chased by Inland Taipans and literally just escaped.

  • DealzEddy123 on 13/08/2015 - 16:19

    whos Michelle Yeoh

  • dial999 on 13/08/2015 - 17:27
    +2

    Sometimes the danger is not where you think it is. Taking a walk up the mountains, I was quickly making my way along a narrow ledge with a sheer drop on one side, and rockface on the other. A snake suddenly dropped in front of me from above, and I had to step over it, neither of us had anywhere to go. I presume it was as stunned as I was.
    Later, I wanted to peer over the edge of an outcrop, so rather than walk up to the edge, I decided to crawl up, as I get vertigo. Imagine my shock when on TV the next evening some poor lady had tripped over at that very same spot and ended up over the edge, dead.

    • This Guy on 15/08/2015 - 01:55

      It happens too often. Most of these deaths aren't even reported.

  • BartholemewH on 13/08/2015 - 21:40

    Where I live, the answer to everything isn't 42, it's 410.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 21:44
      +1

      as in a 410 gauge?

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2015 - 09:07
    +1

    I attended one of these sessions a couple of years ago. It was part of work place training where I was employed. Nearly everything I had previously learned about snakes was wrong.

    And I never really appreciated how aggressive brown snakes are.

  • Lockieasy on 14/08/2015 - 13:16

    When I was a kid, I visited this farm and saw a Brown Snake drinking from a pond. I told the property's caretaker and he chopped its head off with a shovel then put it in a jar of solution (vinegar maybe?) and gave it to me as a souvenir. Man the 1990's were weird.

  • minotaurian on 14/08/2015 - 18:54

    I bring the wife, the nagging would surely scare it off.

  • samdong on 14/08/2015 - 19:40

    What I supposed to do? Well….F*** it….I mean Face it…LoL

  • 2Poor4Ozb on 14/08/2015 - 21:03
    +1

    Option 4:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCui8AI8Mm8

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2015 - 20:43

    How would having chooks on my property affect my snake problem (assuming I have a snake problem)?

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