Three snake bites in as many days

A MASSIVE python found near a Sunshine Coast home is a timely reminder for Queensland residents that not all reptiles hide during winter.

It comes after the third reported snake bite in southeast Queensland in as many days.

A man in his 40s was taken to the PA Hospital this morning after reports he was bitten on the arm at Rocklea.

A man in his 80s was yesterday taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after a snake bit him on the back of his calf. The day before, a man in his 60s was taken to the same hospital in a stable condition after sustaining a snake bit at Yugar, near Samford Valley, north of Brisbane.

There were at least four other snake bites that resulted in hospital transfers in June across the state.

Snake catcher Lockie captured the three metre carpet python found at a Cooroy Mountain property on Monday afternoon.

He said it was one of the biggest pythons he had seen but it was “beautifully natured” and wasn’t bothered to be moved away from the home.

Lockie said it’s usually the larger bodied animals that are more suited to the colder weather.

“We’ve been getting about two to three calls a day for carpet pythons ... they’re often found catching some sun on roofs,” he said.

Carpet pythons are not venomous and mostly feed on mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs.

They are found throughout south east Queensland and grow to an average length of two metres, however some have grown as big as four metres.

According to Brisbane Snakecatchers the most common scenario at this time of year is the sighting of Coastal Carpet Pythons as they seek warm, sunny spots for thermoregulation in the immediate vicinity of suitable refuge.

Snakecatcher Byran Robinson said Queensland’s temperatures don’t often reduce to the point where snakes become completely inactive.

“The problem is people perceive snakes as always wanting to get warm, but in reality aiming to raise, and then maintain temperature for longest period of time,” he said.

Mr Robinson said winter means reduced levels of likely interaction with snakes, and that many incidents are often accidental.

“It’s a slow time of year for snakes,” he said.