Is this a bad year for snakes??

[Tortoise]

While I only saw one snake in 8 days of walking in higher country this month, friends recently had 5 snakes to contend with in and around their campsite in NW Tassie. Today I took some kids (2 of whom are terrified of snakes..., and the other one who nearly trod on one of the 5 aforementioned snakes) on an easy walk at Narawntapu. We very nearly didn't make it beyond the carpark, due to the sign on the toilet doors about a large tiger snake frequently encountered in the vicinity. I don't remember quite so many being a problem... Is it just my bad memory?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Happens every few years from memory.

Bumper springs means lots of foods, then a run of good weather gets em hypo.

I actually dont know that, im just guessing......

[Tortoise]

Hypo wouldn't matter so much. it's the hyper that gets people upset
(Sorry ILUV - the linguist in me couldn't resist! Thanks for your thoughts )

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hypo wouldn't matter so much. it's the hyper that gets people upset
(Sorry ILUV - the linguist in me couldn't resist! Thanks for your thoughts )

That's ok. But the dumbass in myself cant help it.

Damn grammar Nazi's.

[Tortoise]

Gotta watch 'em, or they'll jump up and bite ya!

[corvus]

Could be I had a Copperhead in my backyard a couple of weeks ago and I am in an urban area albeit close to a green belt,might add it was only around 1 mt long, fat healthy and beautiful
corvus

[jackhinde]

"Lots more snakes this year because [insert one of following]":
hotter than usual;
colder than usual;
drier than usual;
wetter than usual;
more food due to above reasons;
less food due to above reasons...

forgive me for being so dismissive, but every year I hear a reason for there being more snakes, and have yet to observe drastic differences in numbers I catch (or miss).

[Peaksnik]

Over the past month I've done 7 long daywalks (Central Tassie and Haartz NP) and a 5 nighter in the WoJ area; and not one snake to be seen anywhere. Perhaps I need new specs?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Over the past month I've done 7 long daywalks (Central Tassie and Haartz NP) and a 5 nighter in the WoJ area; and not one snake to be seen anywhere. Perhaps I need new specs?

depends if you are in a large group, on the weather.. etc etc.

I have heard there have been more snakes about, but I've only seen the usual 15-20 or so this year. However I have had 2 tigers in my yard this year for the first time ever.

[Pteropus]

I'd call it a good year for snakes I recently caught up with a friend who lives in bushland and when we got back to her house there was a baby carpet python just inside the door! We got it out and then when she went inside again she called out that there was another one! So a clutch must have recently hatched near her place. They were very cool and very feisty too.

[Overlandman]

On a recent 4 hour walk I saw 11, 8 Copperheads & 3 Tigers, but I was looking for them. All were large healthy specimens.
Regards Overlandman

Last edited by Overlandman on Tue 22 Jan, 2013 4:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[doogs]

Yes! The Global Financial Crisis had worked its way down to snakes. Many homeless snakes are now seen begging at the side of tracks as their homes have been repossessed. It's a terrible year for snakes

[ILUVSWTAS]

On a recent 4 hour walk I saw 11, 9 Copperheads & 3 Tigers,
Regards Overlandman

Maths not a strong point for you?

[tasadam]

I'm beginning to think it's not a bad year for snakes, it's a good year for snakes - and a bad year for anyone freaked out by them

[tasadam]

On a recent 4 hour walk I saw 11, 9 Copperheads & 3 Tigers,
Regards Overlandman

Maths not a strong point for you?

Maths or typing - one or the other

[Tortoise]

I'm beginning to think it's not a bad year for snakes, it's a good year for snakes - and a bad year for anyone freaked out by them

Touche! (I don't know how to get an acute accent )
The family i mentioned have had more than their fair share of 'freaked out' opportunities in a short space of time, I reckon.

[jackhinde]

it is the year of the snake in china I believe?

[north-north-west]

it is the year of the snake in china I believe?

Chinese New Year isn't until next month.

[jackhinde]

arh so next summer will be snakey then

[north-north-west]

The summer hasn't bee too bad. Spring was thick with the buggers, however.

[kanangra]

Not sure about snakes but it has been a shocker for march flies in the high country.

K.

[Bluegum Mic]

I've certainly had a few walks this year where I've seen more snakes than usual (including a very stroppy brown that stood its ground for ages even with 10 of us plodding along loudly...one kind/brave member of the club nicely got a vvvveeerrryyy long stick and gave it a gentle nudge on the tail and it decided to move along). Mind you its been very dry up here in SE QLD so Im unsure if this has any effect on them coming out for food/water. Certainly some beautiful pythons about in the trees too

[Rob A]

Bad year for snakes?
With the number of little sh its lighting fires over the christmas break Id imagine its a bit of a rugged time for them, yes.
Cant see any of the other fauna enjoying it much either.

[puredingo]

Seen a few snakes about this year, about average I'd say. Excellent year for leeches though, this dry heat seems to be keeping those blood sucking freaks in check.

[taswegian]

I saw my first snake today for this summer. On road at Middlesex.

I've done a lot of working in bush and around creeks etc and amazed by there absence.
Not a sign of one either in the scrub vic Cradle today despite it being quite hot.

[norts]

One at Pelion Hut right beside the boardwalk at the turn off to the group camping platform yesterday. Didnt want to move it is going to give a few ppl a fright.
Roger

[ILUVSWTAS]

Guy I know took this the other day, cheeky frigging snake!

Attachments

[wayno]

hmm it's even got the pose in the photo down pat, should be a model...

[Strider]

I only seem to see snakes when I walk with my wife...