question from nervous novice- RBB

[toast]

hi all, i posted here a while ago, when i found a snake in my yard and was really not sure what to do. i kept clear of it and do not wish it any harm, but you advised me to keep my yard clean of grass and 'stuff'
i live on a few acres in western sydney near a river. the land has lots of wood piles and other junk lying around. i want to clear the land off all this and am looking for advice -is it better to do this clearing now in the cooler months? should i bang around a bit first to warn snakes im coming so they can move off or are they a bit slow now. will they have young to protect? are they most likely to be under sheets of corregated tin flat on the ground or old cars or woodpiles? any clues to where they most likely like to hang out? i really know zero about snakes so please excuse me if im writing something silly.
the snakes seen here are rbb about a metre long or more (anyone want these to relocate if i come across them?)
i am very apprehensive, but know better than to want to harm them-i really just wished they lived somewhere else!!

thanks and congratulations on your forum and for caring about these little guys that the rest of us are so scared of.

[Moonfox]

It's good to hear of someone who's kind to animals despite their fear of them, .

I might be wrong in thinking this, but perhaps it would be better to clean up in warmer months of Summer or Spring, as snakes may choose to bed down in piles of wood for winter - meaning that lifted logs could reveal what, to some, may be a nasty surprise.

Banging around a bit is a good idea. From what I've heard RBB's rarely bite, and are more likely to try to escape. Although they are venemous, they're generally quite shy.

[Aslan]

Due to the fact that you live on a large property near a river it may be difficult to keep them away 100% of the time...

In general they will be slower as the weather cools, which also means they might be more likely to be tucked away somewhere warm (ie. under a tin sheet which has been open to the sun all day)...and you don't have to worry about snakes protecting their young, once the young are born they're basically on their own - in saying that though, young venomous snakes can be just as dangerous as adult snakes so take as much care dealing with them as you would an adult...

One thing to consider though - is Red Bellied Blacks feed on the same food as Browns, and have heard that Red Bellies will also eat young Browns - so having Red Bellies around potentially reduces the risk of having Browns around...

Anyway, let us know how you go but provided you keep the area around the house clean etc (so that snake food like rats and mice don't move in) then you should be pretty safe around the house...

[toast]

Originally Posted by Moonfox

It's good to hear of someone who's kind to animals despite their fear of them, .

I might be wrong in thinking this, but perhaps it would be better to clean up in warmer months of Summer or Spring, as snakes may choose to bed down in piles of wood for winter - meaning that lifted logs could reveal what, to some, may be a nasty surprise.

Banging around a bit is a good idea. From what I've heard RBB's rarely bite, and are more likely to try to escape. Although they are venemous, they're generally quite shy.

thanks for ur reply-and sorry mine is so slow..... im quite uneasy around snakes-mainly because of the safety of my pup, but i have more appreciation now after reading the forum....im no longer very scared of them, just for my pups sake

cheers michael

[Snow1369]

i like your way of thinking, it's great to hear that others with no likeing of snakes but yet a fear to some extent can still respect them and do what they can to move them rather than go out and kill them.

Welcome to the site, hope they eventually they move on for your sake, ever though about a pet snake, might be somthing to think about, get rid of a fear quick smart

[Fennwick]

hi there. its good that you're concerned for the snakes and don't just go ahead and kill them. in regards to re-locating them, i'm a WIRES vollunteer, and according to them it's actually illegal to take a snake more than a kilometre away from where they were originally found. so it's just something to consider when you come across them again. i'd probably wait til summer to clean up, that way the snakes are more active and more likely to slither away.

[elapid@]

they are not a problem as long as you dont step on one so tread heavy when walking in that area 100% they will get out of your way. 9 times out of ten a strike is just a mock bite and its just to say im warning you but you still get medical attention just incase, ive been bitten and lucky was not invenimated. and i was trying to pick it up. thats why i got bitten.so if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. With my pet red bellied black i feel as safe as i do with one of my carpet snakes they are just so placid but still they are to be treated as venomous and dangerous capable of inflicting a potentially fatal bite so still must respect there nature.
I wish i had them around my house but the cane toed killed them all, you would be lucky to see one in my area. im more scared of cane toads then red bellied blacks and thats a frog. So dont be worry'd about red bellied blacks. RBB's also eat other snakes like the eastern brown(common brown) so that means your not likely to see browns (common brown) is second most deadly snake in australia so think its good to have RBB's in that area. Any snake in australia is protected so to move them from there natural habitat is illegal and only can removed on your own property by a licenced snake catcher and released back to its enviroment, we humans have to realise that we have invaided there territory and must respect there well being and conservation.
wish u all the best
cheers steve.

[ssssnakeman]

The problem is not the snakes. The problem is your fear of them.Sure you can clean up around the house and make your place less attractive, this will help,but you may still have to deal with them in the future by the sound of your property.
If you must clean up your land take a herper with you (i usually jump at these opportunities) to help you with identification and relocation of animals that will have their homes exposed. A snakecatcher would help you out but it might cost for his / her time.
In the meantime expose yourself to as many pet pythons etc as you can and try to get over your fear.