Tiger Snakes in winter!?!?

[GPSGuided]

Skin worm?

[Nuts]

where is my post? It was extensive? 2nd time in a week a post has vanished? I won't bother again as overlandman has covered most of it. Just a few things I'll type again, tiger snakes technically do not hibernate, they brumate. The snake looks like it has a skin worm toward the rear.

Bugger! If it happens again hit the back button (if it wasn't far back the post will still be there). Iv'e noticed some problem where i'm shown not logged in once the post is submitted and the post appears blank. If this happens, check the 'keep me logged in' box on the sign in page, cut and paste your stuff into a new message.

[Dolerite Walker]

Unusual but not impossible. And then there's global warming of course.

[markg]

Agree with Overlandman. Lost count of how many copperheads I have come across that after a quick autopsy we have found many juvenile brown snakes in their stomachs. The copperheads vary from the classic coloration to very dark almost black. We do see them regularly in the cooler months during an unseasonably hot day. At my mothers farm we see quite a lot of snakes, as I do trout fishing. Lot of browns, red belied blacks, and tigers chasing tadpoles/frogs in or around the river. I respect snakes but certainly don't fear them, however they are not tolerated around the house. We take a lot of care to keep things tidy and not so attractive for them but we get the odd lingerer and it's is dispatched. It's mainly the browns that hang around and mum lives alone so that's sadly the rule. Don't have much trouble with blacks and copperheads. I do seem to think that the tigers were a lot more prevalent a few years back, on our place that is ,but they seem to be a little down on numbers of late. Just 6ks up the track from us , my mate has a big property that stays quiet boggy and has a lot of river running through it and his place has a very good population of them, and most other species. Snakes are pretty passive I reckon for the most part, they are long gone before we even notice them, but I have had a few run ins with browns that were real hard cases. Others where they just slip away from you without so much as a look. I have had a few slide right under my legs when I stand completely still after the initial meeting, they kind of settle down and go on their way.

[markg]

Forgot to add, I'm talking snowy mountains area. Don't know how anyone could put their hand down a mutton birds burrow, especially somewhere like Chappell Is. YEEK!

[MickyB]

I have no idea when it comes to snakes and obviously there are a few experts on here who do. Can someone please ID this snake for me? It is from the Otways (Vic) taken last month.

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[markg]

I am going to call a tiger snake.

[MickyB]

Thanks markg

[jackhinde]

tiger snake, Notechis scutatus

Skin worms are tapeworms that form cysts under the skin, thought to be parasites that the snakes are not natural host too. Common in frog eating species. Usually observed more in coastal specimens or snakes in warmer climes.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for the explanation. Poor snake with that skin worm! Why am I feeling sorry for them?

[jackhinde]

Skin worms are pretty much harmless. I have nicked the skin and squeezed them out of pets for cosmetic reasons in the past, but these days wouldn't bother- though they aren't seen much in collections these days as the majority of pet snakes are captive bred specimens here on the mainland. Tasmania remains the last state that has yet to fully protect its reptiles and thus is the only place you can legally catch a tiger snake and keep it for a pet.