Flaviemys purvisi
Very Well-Known Member
January 11, 2019
Sam Bolt
SLITHERING IN: The tiger snake that was found last week. Photo: SUPPLIED
A CENTRAL West residence played host to an uncomfortable visitor last week, with a tiger snake found slithering through the house.
The appearance of the fully-grown male served as a timely reminder to be on the look out for the reptilian species during the warmer months, according to Orange-based snake catcher Jake Hansen.
Mr Hansen was called out to O’Connell to help handle the situation, and said tiger snakes are an often misunderstood species.
VIDEO: The snake being caught ...
“The tiger snake has a reputation for being aggressive, but if you gain a better understanding of their behaviour, you’ll find that they are more of a defensive animal,” Mr Hansen said.
“Their threat display is very dramatic, and involves flattening their neck out, making loud hissing noises and performing a mock strike.”
Mr Hansen has already received a number of call-outs throughout the summer months thus far, and has linked the increase in snake sightings with the hot weather as well as the greater number of people at home this time of year.
“With the really hot weather, that’s when I start to get most calls about snakes being inside people’s homes,” he said.
“Snakes like to be operating at a body temperature of around 30 degrees, and when the temperature rises above that, they seek cooler ground such as people’s houses.”
