An emergency callout to capture a snake in Hoppers Crossing has prompted warnings for residents to be on the alert.
Snake-catcher Adam Sapiano, who captured a venomous tiger snake from a commercial premises on Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing, last Tuesday, said he expected dozens more calls over summer.
“It’s still early in the season, but I have already caught seven snakes, including tigers and eastern browns,” he said.
Mr Sapiano said Wyndham’s wetlands and waterways provided habitat for snakes which were now coming out of hibernation.
Hotspots included Point Cook, Williams Landing, Wyndham Vale and the Werribee South foreshore where an invasion of snakes forced the relocation of this year’s Australia Day celebrations.
Mr Sapiano said in most cases where snakes were found on residential properties, the gardens were unkempt and had wood, brick piles or corrugated iron providing snakes with shelter.
Mr Sapiano, 29, who has been a licensed snake-catcher for five years, said he had never been bitten but warned residents to keep their distance from the reptiles.
“Snakes are not aggressive; they are defen at a later date. sive,” he said.
“If you find a snake get as far away as possible from it while still watching it and ring for help.”
Last season, Mr Sapiano caught 72 snakes, including tigers, eastern browns, copper heads, white-lipped snakes and little whip snakes, across an area stretching from Gisborne to Werribee.
Iramoo ward councillor Peter Maynard said Wyndham was home to a wide range of snakes, and the council had put up warning signs in known hotspots.
He said the council had a free snake removal service, but if the reptile could not be seen residents needed a paid professional. \ SUE HEWITT
» To report snakes, phone council on 9742 0777.
