Want To Know More About That Snake You Just Tripped Over?

There aren’t many of us that would be happy to find a snake in the backyard or worse, in the washing machine.

The Australian Snake Identification, Education + Advocacy [ASIEA], a private Facebook group provides some excellent educational information about snakes, and a member of Our Hawkesbury Valley Community History group, Justin Lantry, posted to invite people to join and learn more.

One of the admins, Alexandra Holm who has over 25 years’ experience with snakes, said the group was made up of snake catchers, keepers, academics as well as qualified herpetologists and ecologists.

“It is a group my friends and I started for snake identification and valuable educational information,” Alexandra said.

“Our group has personally created visual infographics for every snake species and is working on comparison infographics to help the public with identifying snakes.

“It also includes quizzes (with prizes), weekly snake spotlights, and guides on understanding snake behaviour, dispelling myths, what to do if you see a snake, how to make your property less attractive for snakes, snake mating and venom.”

The group is all about gentle education, kindness and being sensitive to people’s fears about snakes.

They believe that no question is ever stupid and they aim to educate people about peaceful co-existence with snakes.

Alexandra said that if you were outdoors and encountered a snake at a safe distance, all you need to do is walk away from the reptile.

“If it is very close by and you feel at all anxious, you can also stand completely still until the snake passes you,” she said.

“Snakes will never ever chase a person, and will always seek to flee or freeze, eventually moving on when they feel to do so.

“If you are indoors, exit the area in which you have located the snake, leaving a door to the outside open for the snake to exit from.

“Close the door to the entrance of the room and let others know there is a snake inside.

“Roll up a towel to place at the bottom of the door to keep the snake inside.”

Alexandra said to contact a professional snake catcher to assist with relocation, if necessary.

“Please do not attempt relocation yourself,” she said.

“There are professionals around for a reason.”

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• Pets & Wildlife