Spring has hardly sprung and reports of snake sightings around Parkes have started.
With so many people out walking during lockdown, it is important to know what to do when encountering a snake.
If you come across a snake, your first instinct may be to run, which seems logical, but it’s actually not the best thing to do.
The best advice is to stand still as snakes do not have very good eyesight, so if you stand still the snake won’t feel threatened or scared. Slowly back away from the snake so you don’t startle it or trip over.
Treat all snakes you come across as venomous and do not try and identify the snake, instead just leave them alone.
If you find a snake in your backyard, get everyone and pets inside and away from the snake, and let it move on.
If it doesn’t appear to move on by itself, then call a snake catcher. Snakes come for water, food or shelter so keep your yard clean and limit water, rats, mice and frogs that might be around.
Remember snakes play an important role in eating rats, mice and other animals humans don’t particularly like.