Unseasonable Heat Is Awakening Slithering Residents Extra Early Throughout Australia

A beautiful Eastern Fox Snake slithers along a limestone road on a summer day.
© MLHoward/Shutterstock.com

Written by Kirstin Harrington

Published: August 19, 2023

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Amphibians and reptiles, especially snakes, brumate throughout the winter. Warm-blooded creatures hibernate, which is not the same as brumation. Instead, as the temperature decreases, snakes quit eating, their metabolic rate slows down, and they search for a subterranean location to shelter from fluctuations in surface temperature. 

Snakes continue to emerge to drink on mild winter days even if they are less productive at this time. They won’t begin to feed again until the arrival of spring. Due to one of the warmer winters on record for Australia’s east coast, snake activity there has already begun. 

An “urgent warning” about venomous snakes has been put out by the Australian Reptile Park. Down under, snakes don’t often come out from the ground until September. All Australians should be aware that snakes don’t intentionally target humans for harm. 

They only strike when someone is attempting to kill or capture a snake. A person has a strong probability of avoiding injury if they refrain from doing something they shouldn’t.

snake poking through leaves

Snakes brumate for up to nine months.

©iStock.com/Govert van Tongerloo

All About Snake Season in Australia

Snakes start to come out of their brumate stage when the temperature heats up and springtime approaches. Depending on the location or state, Australia’s snake season normally lasts from the end of September until April. 

Additionally, a lot of snakes mate in the springtime. After the mother snake lays her eggs, it takes between eight and 11 weeks for the baby snakes to emerge. You won’t see a parent snake protecting their young, despite the fact that some newborns may temporarily stick close to their mothers.

jungle carpet python in tree

Carpet pythons are one of the most common snakes in Australia.

©Nagel Photography/Shutterstock.com

As temperatures increase, greater numbers of snakes may be seen as they awaken from a deep sleep, warm themselves in anticipation of mating, and start looking for water and nourishment. 

Snakes have been observed crossing or lying in open spaces, including close to residential areas in Australia. You can spot a snake just about anywhere as they hunt for prey such as bugs or rodents. 

Sometimes snakes get a little too close for comfort. Australians may witness snakes without their homes. These serpents will seek shelter in buildings because they are wet, dark, and chilly, and offer a range of delectable food sources. 

What Should I Do If I See A Snake?

Snakes are typically timid animals that only strike when threatened or provoked. Stay calm while making a gradual retreat. Give the large reptile some time to get away from you; if it doesn’t feel frightened, it will likely do so.

Do not attempt to get rid of or kill a snake if you discover one inside your house. Instead, get everybody and their pets out of the vicinity and try to keep the snake contained inside one room. 

Once this is done, you can call a professional that will safely remove the snake and even look for more within the home.

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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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