Summer in Australia is peak snake season.

If you encounter a snake it is important to not approach or aggravate it in anyway; you should contact the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Wildcare Hotline on (08) 9474 9055 and you will be referred to one of a number of volunteer reptile removers.

If volunteers are not available, you can contact the Town on 9383 6600. If the ranger is unable to relocate the snake, you should contact a professional snake catcher. They will normally charge a call-out fee. You can look the in Yellow Pages to locate these commercial operators.

There are also a number of things you can do to help prevent a nasty encounter:

• Walk/cycle in areas where you can see the ground. Avoid areas of long grass and undergrowth.
• When bushwalking wear trousers and closed shoes – footwear that covers the ankles is preferable.
• Around you home, remove large items lying on the ground, such as corrugated iron, as snakes like to hide underneath.
• Reduce mice numbers around the house and garden – consider things like removing fallen fruit from trees and placing pet food in a safe spot to reduce the likelihood of rodents paying a visit.
• Don’t forget your pets! To reduce the risks to our furry friends avoid letting dogs roam off lead near bushland areas (including the beach) and keep cats safe in your home or yard.

The Department of Environment and Conservation suggests that the two most commonly encountered dangerously venomous snakes in the Perth metropolitan area are Dugites and Tiger snakes. Both species are active in the day and at night in the warmer weather.