Living With Wildlife
Snake
Famiy: Bolidae, Colubridae, Elapidae
Scientific names: various - not specified
Snakes in the Environment
Snakes are found throughout the Northern Territory in all habitats, including desert, wetland and coastal ecosystems. Snakes are important biological regulators within any ecosystems, because they feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles, thus regulating their population sizes. There is a huge diversity of snake species in the Northern Territory, ranging from the highly venomous Desert Death Adder to the commonly encountered and harmless, Children’s Python. Snakes are typically active during warmer months and also tend to breed during this period. About 70% of all snake species lay eggs; however, a number of snakes give birth to live young. Snakes rely on thermoregulation, which is the process of obtaining energy from the sun's warmth, so it is common to see snakes basking on exposed rocks or branches during cool weather.
Australia is home to more species of venomous snakes then anywhere else in the world.
Feeding
All snakes in the Northern Territory are carnivorous and feed on a range of items, including mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fish and invertebrates. Large python species, such as the Olive Python, can grow up to 4m and feed on Wallabies and small feral pigs. Snakes do not require large amounts of food and many will only feed every couple of weeks; however, opportunistic feeding often occurs.
Threats
Most snake species have adapted well to urban environments; however, they generally avoid high disturbance areas such as urban parks and schools. Illegal smuggling of snakes for the pet trade threatens the survival of a number of Australian snakes, through potential disease transmission and loss of local populations. Most snake species in the Northern Territory are common throughout their range and have few natural predators to compete with. However, urban snakes often fall victim to cat and dog attacks or may be run over by lawnmowers or cars. Some less dangerous snakes may also be inadvertently killed by people who believe that they are dangerous.
Interactions With People
In areas occupied by humans, snakes take advantage of reliable food supplies, opportunistic heat sources and protected habitats. Snakes can cause considerable alarm and panic, especially if they enter human dwellings. Snakes are shy animals and typically their first response is to move away and hide when disturbed. Most snake bites occur when people attempt to kill or handle a snake.
What You Can Do
If you have problems with snakes in your area there are a number of things that you can try to reduce these problems:
- Keep your yard tidy and maintained, including cutting long grass, clearing rubbish and storing wood and metal sheeting elevated off the ground.
- Control rats and mice around dwellings.
- Build snake proof aviaries, fowl yards and other small pet cages.
- Wear long pants and thick boots when walking in long grass.
- Never try to capture a snake, call a professional.
- Restrict your dog and/or cat movements.
- Contact a registered snake removalist (fees may apply).
- Seek medical attention immediately if a snake bite occurs.
All native snake species are protected in the Northern Territory. For this reason, it is important that members of the public do not interfere with these animals without an appropriate permit. It is an offence to kill a snake unless; “the snake was within 100m of an occupied building; or the defendant proves that they honestly believed that it was necessary to kill or injure the snake to avoid an immediate danger of death or injury to a person or domestic livestock”.
