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Snakes for Christmas
(ABC News, 6 Dec 2018)
From the ‘Only in Australia’ file
The Court Family has been selling freshly cut pines out of a five-acre property in Wolumla New South Wales, for nearly a decade, but this year an inundation of deadly brown snakes has led to untended trees and dangers to browsing visitors.
While the snakes have not yet impacted sales, they have hindered the Christmas experience. Ms Court said she also been less able to maintain the trees this year because of the snakes, so has been selling them as a bushier "organic version", due to less trimming.
She said the drought was causing more snakes to come through her property, which is wedged between a sub-divided block and a creek.
"Normally I'm out in the garden in my flip flops," she said.
"But this year, I'm wearing gumboots and not in the garden nearly as much."
Brown snakes are one of the most venomous land snakes in the world and are often found throughout the eastern half of mainland Australia.
WIRES Reptile Handling Trainer, Gary Pattinson, said
"They're far more prevalent in the hotter season,"
"We'll be seeing them around from now until April or May."
Mr Pattinson said the dryer conditions should not cause an increase in the species numbers but that the warmer weather had caused them to come out of hibernation early and be more active.
Deb Court has had plenty of close calls with snakes while trying to manage the Christmas rush.
"Mum opened the car door the other day and a brown was under her foot," Ms Court said.
“I had one go through my legs while gardening.”
"I carry a rake around with me at all times now."
To prevent buyers from wandering the property, Ms Court now greets them at the front gate.
She also leaves pre-cut trees at the entrance with a sign warning of the snakes.
"[The customers are] very understanding, they often have [snakes] on their property as
well," Ms Court said.
Meanwhile... in another part of Australia…
Man bitten on face and nose by tree snake while sleeping finds reptile in toilet next day
OB
(ABC News, 6 Dec 2018)
From the ‘Only in Australia’ file
The Court Family has been selling freshly cut pines out of a five-acre property in Wolumla New South Wales, for nearly a decade, but this year an inundation of deadly brown snakes has led to untended trees and dangers to browsing visitors.
While the snakes have not yet impacted sales, they have hindered the Christmas experience. Ms Court said she also been less able to maintain the trees this year because of the snakes, so has been selling them as a bushier "organic version", due to less trimming.
She said the drought was causing more snakes to come through her property, which is wedged between a sub-divided block and a creek.
"Normally I'm out in the garden in my flip flops," she said.
"But this year, I'm wearing gumboots and not in the garden nearly as much."
Brown snakes are one of the most venomous land snakes in the world and are often found throughout the eastern half of mainland Australia.
WIRES Reptile Handling Trainer, Gary Pattinson, said
"They're far more prevalent in the hotter season,"
"We'll be seeing them around from now until April or May."
Mr Pattinson said the dryer conditions should not cause an increase in the species numbers but that the warmer weather had caused them to come out of hibernation early and be more active.
Deb Court has had plenty of close calls with snakes while trying to manage the Christmas rush.
"Mum opened the car door the other day and a brown was under her foot," Ms Court said.
“I had one go through my legs while gardening.”
"I carry a rake around with me at all times now."
To prevent buyers from wandering the property, Ms Court now greets them at the front gate.
She also leaves pre-cut trees at the entrance with a sign warning of the snakes.
"[The customers are] very understanding, they often have [snakes] on their property as
well," Ms Court said.
Meanwhile... in another part of Australia…
Man bitten on face and nose by tree snake while sleeping finds reptile in toilet next day
OB
