Snake influx thanks to warm, wet weather

Sydney’s unusual warm and wet weather is resulting in a deluge of snakes popping up in unusual places – with even potentially-venomous reptiles, such as red bellied black snakes and brown snakes, more visible than usual.

One python slithered into the floorboards between two storeys of a house in Narrabeen on the northern beaches, while a tiny baby green tree snake got stuck to packaging tape in a garage while on the move also on the northern beaches.

Yesterday on nine.com.au we reported how a man cleaning his car found a massive diamond python nestled in the engine this week.

Sydney Wildlife rescuer, Lynleigh Greig, who is called out to rescue or relocate the creatures, said there’s been a glut of call-outs after Sunday’s heatwave, which has been followed by a deluge of rain.

“We have been run off our feet with them,’ said Mrs Greig, from Elanora Heights on Sydney’s northern beaches.

“I’ve done three pythons, two whip snakes, two baby green tree snakes and a few red-bellies just this week. Baby snakes are also scarpering about trying to flee from predators.”

She said snakes are highly sensitive to temperature which is why more can be seen during extreme conditions.

“The weather plays a crucial role in snakes’ movements due to the fact that they are ectothermic - their blood temperature and metabolic rate are completely dependent on the surrounding air temperature.

“So sometimes the hiding places that snakes choose are only good when the weather is moderate.

“If the air temperature in their hiding place, say a roof-space, gets unbearable, they have to move off to find a better place or they will overheat.

“Similarly, if it rains too much, snakes that have chosen somewhere like a rock crevice to hide may be washed out and forced to move somewhere dryer and warmer.

“If their blood temperature and metabolic rate drops too low, they cannot perform normal functions such as hunting and eating.”

Joe Matthews from Sydney Snake Catchers, who relocates wayward creatures, said he’s also had an influx of calls.

However snakes, even venomous ones are unlikely to attack humans unless provoked, he said.

Sadly, many people who spot one of the animals, reach for a weapon such as a spade to defend themselves.

“We have been very busy, especially recently,” said Mr Matthews.

“If people have any dramas, keep your distance, confine it to that room and call a professional,” he said.

Mr Matthew’s most unusual call this summer was to a woman near Dural in Sydney’s north.

She got a rude awakening when a green tree snake slithered out of her pillowcase when she was in bed.

The creature disappeared through a vent before he was able to catch it.

It’s thought it slid into the Manchester while it was drying outside on the washing line.