General News
21 November, 2022
Snake bite warning from local
Maryborough resident Christina O’Keefe recently faced the stuff of nightmares when she encountered a snake in her bedroom on Brown Street — prompting a safety message to residents to be on the look out as the weather warms up. Curled up out of...
Maryborough resident Christina O’Keefe recently faced the stuff of nightmares when she encountered a snake in her bedroom on Brown Street — prompting a safety message to residents to be on the look out as the weather warms up.
Curled up out of sight on the floor, the reptile attacked Ms O’Keefe after she accidently stepped on it.
She was then taken to the Maryborough Hospital before being referred to Ballarat for further testing.
“I don’t know why it came inside. I was absolutely panicking and my heart was beating so fast. But I didn’t let the panic get to me because I knew it was very serious,” Ms O’Keefe said.
Luckily for her, the snakeinjected no venom — it was a dry bite. And while bites like these can occur, it’s always best to cover your bases according to Gianni Hodgson, operator of Hodgson’s Snakes Rescue and Removal.
“A dry bite is when a snake bites but doesn’t actually envenomate you, they can do that — it’s a controlled form. Either way, if you do get bitten, don’t risk it. Just assume there’s venom because it’s unlikely to get dry bites all the time,” he said.
“Most of the time, a dry bite is delivered as a warning. It’s their way of telling you to back off.
“Generally snakes use venom for hunting mice, lizards or whatever they’re going to eat.”
Mr Hodgson has already received numerous calls about snake-sightings and he said since you can’t always prevent a run-in, there are certain steps you can take if you find one on your property.
“If there’s something in your bedroom for example, what you can do is close the bedroom door, if there happens to be a gap under the door, put a towel under and close the door on top of the towel. You can then go around to your bedroom window from the outside of the house and try to keep an eye on the snake as best as you can,” he said.
“Then someone like myself will come out and take it from there. The main thing is to isolate it to a certain room — and making sure it stays in there and doesn’t move around the house.”
However, if you do get bitten, the best course of action is to sit where you are, don’t walk and call Triple Zero (000).
“The important thing is to sit still, there’s no need to identify the snake. Don’t try to capture or kill it either. Sit where you are, even if the snake is still there. Triple Zero will give you all the advice you need,” Mr Hodgson said.
As snakes continue to emerge, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has also issued a message listing out steps people can take if they reside in areas with the scaly wildlife.
Keep your yard clear and ensure grass is cut short.
Make sure your first aid kit is stocked with compression bandages.
If you see a snake, leave the area calmly with your children and pets.
For more information or advice on snakes call DELWP on 136 186.
You can also contact Wildlife Victoria on their emergency response line available 24/7 on (03)8400-7300