With a high Murray River, the adage of being kind to your neighbour applies to more than just the other people in your immediate vicinity, including ones we wouldn’t normally extend an olive branch to — snakes.
Key points:
- Snakes and other native wildlife are being forced to move due to rising river levels
- Experts advice that snakes play a valuable role in the ecosystem and keep rodent populations down
- A cooler-than-seasonable spring is expected to lead to a later peak in snake activity
Rising river levels mean local wildlife are moving from their usual creek bed habitats to find shelter on higher ground, occasionally bringing them closer to Riverland townships.
Karl Hillyard, principal ecologist for wildlife management at the Department for Environment and Water, said there was an increased chance of seeing snakes.
“As river levels come up, people just need to be aware snakes might congregate in those high ground [areas],” he said
“Just pay attention as you go … Give snakes a wide birth. Admire them from a distance.”
Mr Hillyard said people should be respectful of snakes. They are protected native animals and play an important role in the ecosystem.
“Remember all the useful things they do for us in controlling rats and mice,” he said.
Friend or foe?
Peter Mirtschin, a retired toxicologist, said the most common snake species around the Riverland and surrounding regions were tiger and brown snakes.
And out in the Mallee, the king brown and the death adder are commonplace.
Mr Mirtschin says to think twice before moving snakes along.
