Living With Wildlife

What to do if you find injured wildlife, how to safely manage snakes, and where to get advice on rabbits and deer in Glamorgan Spring Bay.

Snakes

Reducing snake habitat around your home

  • Keep grass mown
  • Keep garden debris to a minimum
  • Keep wood heaps away from the house, or elevate them at least 0.5 m above ground
  • Seal or clear and dry the area under the house
  • Reduce standing water and wet spots
  • Seal cracks in concrete and rockeries that may shelter lizards (a snake food source)
  • Maintain a well-maintained paling fence

Avoiding snake bites

  • Step onto rather than over logs — a snake may be basking on the other side
  • Be alert in the bush, especially in early morning during warmer months
  • Wear shoes and trousers — not thongs and shorts
  • Avoid walking through long grass or reeds
  • Inspect hollow logs and rock crevices before reaching in
  • Do not try to handle or kill a snake — leave it alone
  • If your cat brings prey home, attach a bell to its collar — cats catch snakes

Snake bite first aid

  1. Stay calm — reassure the patient. The chance of death is very small. Note allergies, medications and pulse rate.
  2. Seek medical help — call 000 immediately.
  3. Apply a broad, firm bandage (preferably elastic, such as a sports bandage), starting at the extremity of the limb and working up. Cover as much of the limb as possible and leave it on. Do not use a tourniquet.
  4. Immobilise the bitten area — if a limb, secure with a splint.
  5. Bring transport to the patient if possible.
  6. Treat symptoms and give CPR if necessary.
  7. Do NOT cut the bitten area.
  8. Snake identification is not necessary in Tasmania — all native snake bites are treated with the same anti-venom.

European rabbits

For advice on controlling rabbit populations in Tasmania contact Biosecurity Tasmania on (03) 6165 3777, or visit:

Deer

The Nature Conservation (Deer Farming) Regulations 2022 came into effect on 1 July 2022. Anyone keeping any deer — even one — must now have a licence. Game Services Tasmania (GST) is inspecting all deer farms to confirm compliance with the new regulations.

Also in Caring for Our Environment