How to dodge snakes on your holiday travels
As the days get warmer and families launch into school holiday trips, experts are warning travellers and campers to watch out for snakes outdoors.
Data compiled by off-road accessories vendor OCAM 4x4 Accessories listed the camping hotspots with the highest snakebite risk in the country, comparing the number of campsites in the locality to the reported snake sightings.
Eastern brown snakes are highly venomous. iStock
Tamworth in NSW came top of the list with a “danger index” rating of 100 across its seven local campsites.
NSW and South Australia were the most potentially dangerous states, with a collective 14 of the top 20 sites located in one or the other.
“Snakes go where the food and shelter are, and that is exactly what a campsite looks like to them,” Sydney Snake Catcher founder Chris Williams said.
“In these areas, cleared land near water, woodpiles, long grass, sheds and outbuildings all pull in rodents and frogs, with snakes following their prey.”
The three most commonly sited species across Australia were the eastern brown snake, the tiger snake, and the red-bellied black snake.
Of these, Williams said the one campers needed to be most aware of was the brown snake.
“They are fast, alert to movement, found almost everywhere from bushland to open paddocks, and their venom is highly toxic,” he said.
Red-bellied black snakes were generally shy and most likely to retreat, Williams said.
Tiger snakes “sit in between”.
“They are more prone to standing their ground if cornered, especially in the cooler southern states,” Williams said.
However, Williams emphasised also that none of the three species were aggressive by nature, and that all would prefer to escape than attack something they didn’t intend to eat.
“The danger comes from surprise encounters, stepping too close, or cornering them without realising it,” he said.
Campers and travellers who come face-to-face with a venomous stake were advised to stop moving and back slowly away in the same direction they’d come from.
“Do not run, do not make sudden movements, and do not try to herd it off the track,” Williams said.
Chris Williams says the danger lies in unexpectedly startling a snake. Sydney Snake Catcher/Chris Williams.
“Most bites happen when someone tries to touch, catch or kill a snake, not from walking past one.“
He said people should keep pets and other humans well back and give the snake room and time to move away on its own.
Williams also noted there were steps people could take to decrease their chances of luring a venomous snake to their campsite.
People are urged to keep their campsite clear. Supplied/Hipcamp
The biggest mistake campers make is leaving gear, shoes, tents, and firewood stacked on the ground overnight without checking it in the morning.
“Snakes will use whatever shelter is available, so keep the site clear and tidy,” Williams said.
“Stack firewood off the ground and away from tents, do not leave rubbish or food scraps out overnight, and give sheds, woodpiles and long grass a wide berth.“
OCAM 4x4 Accessories director Peter Gorgievski also warned people that snakes could find their way into a vehicle or tent more easily than commonly expected.
“They will follow warmth and shelter into a wheel arch, an open door, a swag or a pile of gear left on the ground overnight, so keep everything zipped, sealed and off the dirt where you can,” he said.
“Avoid parking directly near long grass, dense brush, log piles, or standing water where snakes actively hunt or seek shelter, add a rooftop tent to stay off the ground, and try to ensure any dogs have a safe area to play, whether that’s with a lead, cage, or camp fencing.”
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
