A FEW weeks ago, I had the pleasure of reacquainting myself with the rather poorly named Common Tree Snake. This beautiful tree snake should be known as the Absolutely Stunning Tree Snake as this one had scales on its back that were like blue jewels, contrasting nicely with the yellow scales of its belly. Colouration of Common Tree Snakes can be highly variable with browns, blues, blacks on the back and yellows, pale blue or grey or even white on the bellies. They are sometimes referred to as Yellow Bellied Black Snakes which is not a good name for their chances of survival when they enter the yard of an Ophidiophobe (someone who fears snakes). Believed previously to be non-venomous, research now shows that they are a venomous snake (don’t panic) but their venom or its delivery appears to only affect their target prey – frogs – and appear unable to injure humans. They are great to watch, slithering acrobatically in trees and shrubs and should be a welcome guest in your forest, garden, or verandah but maybe not in the house.
As there are no vegetarian snakes, any snakes you might have in your garden (and be lucky enough to see) have been attracted by the habitat you have provided for their prey (and also for themselves to hunt or to search for the opportunity to engage in romantic associations). Having predators in your garden is a sign that the habitat you have created is complex and diverse enough to support them and their prey, which is a good thing – apart from the fact that some snakes are venomous to us and our pets… Knowledge is a great tool to combat fear and plan what to do (if anything) if you see a snake. A great book to help you with snakes is “Snakes of the Sunshine Coast Region” by Mike Donovan, available at Forest Heart. Most snake bites to humans are as a result of trying to move or kill snakes, if need be contact the snake wranglers and stay safe.
