Family aye!

[pythonlover001]

Hey all i was just wondering how to convince my pop not to kill snakes everytime he sees a snake he takes to it hardcore wit a shovel. He killed a beautiful king brown the other day and he brags about it. wen i saw the brownie my eyes filled wit tears of wat he did wit it its disgusting i told him if he has problems with snakes to call the proper animal help and they will come capture it and take it to a different location but he insists on killing all snakes cause his son got bitten but he didnt die or nething he was completely unharmed so i dont understand y hes so against snakes wen i love them ne advice on wat 2 do?

[pythonlover001]

bump

[stringbean]

my uncle used to be the same, now he can tell the differance a bit better between a dangerous snakes and harmless ones. so he either watches them do what ever or if its a brown he just runs away. sory to kinda hijack the thread but does anyone know of browns hissing, my uncle heard one before he saw it.

[stringbean]

try to tell him its not goin to do anything to him alsong as he stays away from it.

[pythonlover001]

do u kno the number of like some1 who would go out and release the snake somewhere else

[pythonlover001]

bump

[Chris89]

maybe you should leave some documentation lying around his house about animal rights and the extremely high fines for killing native animals?

[pythonlover001]

so there is laws against killing snakes?

[Mayo]

You might wanna give a bit better description of where he is if you want someone to go out and pick them up

[pythonlover001]

tamborine mt

[sxc_celly]

Theres a few around, and yes i agree, let him know its ILLEGAL to kill native animals like snakes! Im sure that'll fix it!

[pythonlover001]

i was gunna say that on the spot but i didnt kno for sure

[moosenoose]

Originally Posted by pythonlover001

everytime he sees a snake he takes to it hardcore wit a shovel.

I know where the older generation like this are coming from sadly. These people aren't killing these animals for the sheer enjoyment of it but more so in their minds, the immediate protection of other family members by removing a potentially lethal animal. My old man is the same, and has bragged about slaughtering 10 or so new born red belly blacks on my folks property at Eumundi in Queensland. My Mum was horrified after learning what he did!

It's nothing to brag about, it's not tough or even overly clever to dispatch these animals. They (like your Pop) need to understand your feelings on the matter, the part these animals play in the balance of the eco-system and more importantly have them understand the medical procedures required should a bite happen at some stage, if ever.

It's all very well to tell him what he's doing it illegal in regards to killing native Australian fauna like this, but then show me one person ever prosecuted for doing so! Educate, learn, adapt and change is all we can do or ever hope for people in instances like this, and in my opinion I hope one day he'll change for you mate, but don't hold your breath.

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day pythonlover,

Unfortunately the point of view your pop has is all too common with the older generation. As easy as it is to get angry at them, the old timers are just a product of their environment - they constantly had people telling them that snakes were evil, and that the only good one was a dead one.

The best, and only, cure for his "condition" is education. Rather than getting angry with him, try and gently pursuade him to learn a thing or two about reptiles. Make a challenge with him...if he can read a bit of Rick Shines book "Australian Snakes - A Natural History", and NOT learn something, you'll buy him a new set of golf clubs or something.

Also, we have a few shows coming up that might help your cause. The closest one to you will be the Mudgereeba Show, later on this year.

Cheers

Jonno

[cris]

It isnt illegal if its considered threatening, also i have never heard of anyone being prosecuted even when its a harmless species. You could try telling him it is illegal but that isnt really entirely true.

First step would be getting him to learn the differance between deadly and harmless snakes so at least he leaves the harmless ones alone.
Try and get him to like harmless snakes then most ppl will realise the others are just the same and just need to be treated with caution.
Point out that most ppl who get bitten bring it on themselves thorugh intentionally harrassing or killing the snake.

The best way to keep dangerous snakes away is to destroy their habitat and food supply. That basically means no piles of junk, no rats and no frogs.