NEWS DESK
Year of the copperhead snake Mike Hast mike@mpnews.com.au
Serpent time: Peninsula-based snake catcher Barry Goldsmith with a copperhead snake captured at Bittern last week. Picture: Karen Goldsmith
snakes, regularly warning that it is illegal to kill snakes, and could attract a fine of more than $6000. "It's not only illegal but also dangerous as people could be exposing themselves to potential injury or death," he said. "The head of a decapitated snake can live for 15 minutes or more and still bite. There was a case in NSW where a man cut a black snake in half and returned to dispose of it 24 hours later. He grabbed the front half and it bit him. "People need to be aware snakes are moving around looking for food and water; if you see a snake in your garden, leave it alone and you won't have a problem." Killing a snake on your property
bushland and beside creeks. Snake bites are difficult to detect on dogs and cats. First reactions can include trembling, rapid breathing, vomiting, defecation and collapse. After some of these signs, eye pupils may dilate (get bigger) and the animal's gait will become clumsy as the legs become progressively weaker. If the dose of venom is large enough, complete paralysis will occur, followed by death if untreated with anti-venom. If treated immediately, pets have a good chance of survival and recovery. The best course of action is to keep your pet as calm and still as possible and get them to a vet. Information: snakecatchervictoria. com.au
would just leave a vacuum that would be filled by another snake, he said. The three most common snakes in the region are copperheads, tiger snakes and red-bellied black snakes. "Having a copperhead or red-bellied black snake on your property is a good thing as they eat tiger snakes, which are more likely to bite humans and pets," he said. "Tigers seek prey such as mice and rats, which live in sheds and houses, as well as birds and small mammals. "Copperheads mainly seek frogs, lizards – and other snakes." Mr Goldsmith also warned about pets and snakes. "Snakes don't attack dogs; dogs attack snakes," he said. Veterinarians say dogs should be kept on a leash in dunes, long grass,
FIVE peninsula projects and one individual have been recognised at the Tidy Town – Sustainable Community Awards. Three winners were: • Mornington Peninsula Shire and Southern Peninsula Community Information and Support Fresh Food Program. • Mornington Peninsula Shire's Clean Beach and Waterway program. • The shire's litter prevention program at Ballar Creek, Mt Eliza. Highly commended were: • Young Leaders – Sustainability Leadership: Luke Reardon, Western Port Secondary College, Hastings. • Young Leaders – Sustainability Leadership: St Joey's Cafe, run by year 6 pupils at St Joseph's school, Crib Point. • Cultural Heritage: Victorian Maritime Centre's Otama submarine project at Crib Point. Hastings and Mornington were finalists for the overall Tidy Town Award, which was won by Horsham. The shire's mayor, Cr Bev Colomb, said recognition of five projects and Luke Reardon was "outstanding" and the result of good partnerships with businesses and organisations. The Ballar Creek project included the installation of a new type of pollutant trap, a "bafflebox", which had stopped "truckloads of rubbish, vegetation and sediment ... flowing into the creek and ultimately Port Phillip".
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FORGET the Chinese Year of the Sheep or Goat, in terms of snakes in the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and southeast region, it's the year of the copperhead snake. Peninsula licensed wildlife controller Barry Goldsmith says the copperhead is the dominant type of snake appearing as the weather warms, displacing last year's "year of the tiger snake". "I've been removing on average two a day since the warm weather kicked in," he said. Mr Goldsmith scotched the myth that there are more snakes around this year as animal hospitals and vets report a sharp increase in pets being bitten by snakes compared with this time last year. "It's very simple – as we reduce snake habitat by development, humans and their pets are more likely to come into contact with snakes even though we have fewer snakes than, say, 20 years ago," he said. Building of homes, shops, roads and other infrastructure in the region is also reducing the number of places where snake-catchers can release their captures. He cited development in Mornington, Somerville and Rosebud in recent times for creating greater chances of humans (and their pets) encountering snakes. "What is now the Peninsula Sands estate in Rosebud South was a place where snake-catchers released relocated snakes for 100 years," he said. Mr Goldsmith is a champion of
Six wins in Tidy Town awards
Mornington Peninsula AUSTRALIA DAY LOCAL AWARDS Nominate A Local Hero Now! Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of local Community members through the Australian of the Year Awards. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Mornington Peninsula. Do you know someone whose dedication and commitment makes our community a better place, a person who will go that extra mile beyond their paid employment or commit hours of their personal time to the benefit of others?
Thank them for their valuable and selfless contribution by nominating them for Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year in the 2016 Australia Day Local Awards.
Nominate for the Mornington Peninsula Shire: • Citizen of the Year • Young Citizen of the Year • Community Event of the Year
Nominations Close Friday 13th November, 2015 Nomination forms available on website www.mornpen.vic.gov.au or contact Christine Aslanidis: email: christine.aslanidis.vic.gov.au ph: 5950 1137
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Mornington News 27 October 2015
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