RV FEATURE
EXPERT ADVICE
A Queensland Museum snake expert said staying
safe was a difficult problem for caravanners,
especially those in a remote location because
“it depends on too many factors – what sort of
snake it is, how large it is, whether or not it has
dangerous venomous and how agitated it is”.
“The best advice is to keep the caravan door closed
so the situation doesn’t arise. As for snakes that
are outside the caravan, leave them alone and let
them go on their way,” the expert said.
He also suggested that no matter where you
were camping, or what sort of rig you used, it
would be beneficial to know first aid procedures
for snake bite. That included travellers carrying a
well-equipped first aid kit that included pressure
bandages.
Communication is also essential. The ability for
caravanners to contact the ambulance or perhaps
the Flying Doctor might be critical to patient
survival if a bite occurs.
PROTECTED SPECIES
that keep natural ecosystems working. A little
samurai shovel action isn’t worth trying. You are
more likely to get bitten.
Experts say that snakes usually prefer to retreat
when encountered but, if they feel threatened,
they can become defensive. The advice is not to
panic. Instead, keep a safe distance and allow the
snake to move away.
SNAKE SAFETY
As stated, if you see a snake, the best way to
avoid being bitten is simply to leave the snake
alone. In addition:
• Wear boots and trousers or gaiters when
bushwalking. Do not wear sandals or thongs.
• Be aware of where you are placing your feet.
• D
o not put hands or feet in or under logs,
rocks, hollows, crevices or debris without
checking first that there is no snake there.
• W
hen in the bush, check inside your shoes,
clothes and sleeping bag before using them.
Travellers aren’t the only creatures that need
protecting when there’s a human-snake
encounter. The first thing to remember is you just
can’t go ahead and try to kill it – that’s a bad idea. • U
se a torch when walking around
campsites or the bush at night.
Snakes are protected creatures and it is an
offence to kill, injure or take snakes from the wild. • Do not handle injured snakes. A hurt
animal is a much more dangerous
animal as it is fighting for its life.
Snakes are significant middle-order predators
• Do not interfere with a snake if pets or
other people have already provoked it.
• Know appropriate first aid for
treating snake bites.
A tiger snake that the GoRV
crew came across in the bush
north of Melbourne.
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