Snake

[mattymeischke]

In the aviaries a couple of weeks ago on a sunny evening, watching the birdies go round, when something slipped out of a corner: a bloody great big brown snake.
He saw me when I saw him, and he tried to escape up a wall.
Simultaneously crapping myself and watching in awe and wonder, I retreated to the safety door while he slithered and climbed.
Just amazing to watch up close.
I reckon he was at least six feet long....

I went to fetch a long-handled shovel, but he was gone when I returned.
Twice since then I have seen him in the aviary briefly, but not had a chance to get him.
My son and I went around the paddock around the aviary turning over timber and tin, looking for him, but no luck.

I have heard about some old-timer trick involving leaving a hessian sack (maybe a wet sack?) in there and the snake goes into it and is then easily caught.
Has anybody else heard of this, or got any tricks for catching snakes?

Cheers,
Matt.

[COUNTRY CAPITAL]

i wish you had one of sam davis's camera setups matty.....it would have been priceless to see your face!! oh and the large brown snake too!
i feel your pain really!
you must have a breach in your foundations somewhere to allow one in that size as i dont think he/she could get through finch mesh(i have watched a 1m brown take at least ten minutes to force his body through 12.5 mm mesh).
maybe a mouse/rat tunnel or dry weather crack?
i have found a snake in a roll of hail mesh left laying around, they seem to get stuck by their scales when trying to reverse out of a tight spot.they thrash around and get even more tangled....and angry!
you may want to try this but at best it would be a hit/miss solution.
if you have seen it in the aviary more than once you have to deal with it i'm afraid or you will lose many birds/eggs/nestlings, not to mention your own safety.
remember they are also accomplished nocturnal feeders during warm summer evenings, when the birds are an easy feed !
my most recent brown visitor was extricated from my carport where a climbing vine houses the wild zebra finches nests, it was over 2m off the ground raiding the nests so dont underestimate the buggers....
wires or such may be able to "relocate" it for you as i wouldnt recommend you tackle a six footer if you have not had much experience with them, the big ones get big not because they are dumb....
i have strategically positioned "dongers" in at least 6 locations at my place so one is always at hand when you need one....just one of the joys of country living! this season has been fairly quiet around my place....so dont jinx me.

[arthur]

Scan.jpg

'Snake Charmer'

1. 3 to 4m length fencing wire bent double
2. Clamp ends in vise and use tyre-lever or similar to twist until it looks like above

This provides a more flexible tool than a shovel or rigid stick, which require much more accuracy

Simple and cheap, and can be placed at strategic points round aviaries and house so they can be easily found

Works for me


Disclaimer: Snakes are 'protected fauna' in all state jurisdictions. It is an offence to harm them in any way

[matcho]

Matt,

If it is an Eastern Brown Snake be very very careful as they can be extremely aggressive when they feel threatened and will attack, biting several times. They can also strike fairly high on the body. They are one of the deadliest snakes on the planet. As for turning over the tin and timber looking for him, forget it, too dangerous. I speak from experience having been a snake bite victim twice. Spent three days in intensive care in Cairns many years ago after being airlifted out of Normanton. Not a pleasant experience.

Unfortunately it is one of the down sides of rural living. I can't give you any advice other than to check and see where the breaches are and fix them. Maybe then it will get bored and leave of its own accord. They are good however at vermin control on the outside.

Just be careful

Ken.

[SamDavis]

I had one lift up out of some grass in an aviary a few years back - not quite a six footer but big enough to scare the bejeezus out of me. I then got the brush cutter and cleared the whole cage trying to find hm - never found him and never found a hole. Be careful - as you know Matty.

[Tiaris]

I have a few 2m lengths of 25mm poly pipe placed around the house. Similar to the double wire whacker in principle & very effective at a couple of quick whacks without having to have the serpent right at at your feet. All part of the fun & games of living rural.

[finchbreeder]

Fingers crossed, no sign of any scaly intruders this year. Probably partialy because the rodent numbers are way down. Though they inevitably go for the auto water bowls round here. Have had hubby do some upgrading of the snake proofing round the doors, to reduce the gaps to almost nill instead of the previous standard gauge wire gaps. Now he has done some I will try the "praise gets more" method. "Gosh dear you did such a good job of that avairy. Could you possibly do the others the same?"
LML

[BrettB]

My son and I went around the paddock around the aviary turning over timber and tin, looking for him

Using the children as bait is an effective strategy, particularly if you have a few of them so you can cover any losses.

Cheers
Brett