What do Red Bellies Eat in Suburbia

[101RRS]

My elderly mum lives in suburbia and every couple of years she gets a red belly living under the back porch near the back door.

There used to be a creek at the back but long ago it was converted to an open storm water drain - fully concreted in, no more frogs and no where to hide.

This year one appeared in September - was about the size of a pencil so is a hatchling this year - yesterday is about as thick as a 20c piece so is growing.

My mum did get it with a spade but it was on soft ground and just held it and she had nothing else at hand to despatch it so had to let it go. In the past with earlier snakes, the snake catcher has come out but by the time they arrive the snake has gone back under the house.

My mum knows where it suns itself so checks and the dog has sort of got used to it but we are still worried about the dog getting tagged.

So in suburbia where there are no frogs - what do Red Bellies eat? There are a few bugs and a few garden skinks but that is about all. The one thing that proliferates are Californian Flying Cockroaches and these are about the only thing that I can think the snake is living on.

Any ideas?

Garry

[460cixy]

Small children :D mice if there around

[Don 130]

This (http://australianmuseum.net.au/Red-bellied-Black-Snake) from the Australian Museum should answer your questions.
Don.

[KarlB]

Primarily mice and lizards in your mother's situation. Also an occasional small bird if they are lucky.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[mike123]

Rodents and rabbit kittens. There still may be frogs around - we're in suburbia but are probably 300-400 mtr from a creek and get frogs in the yard. We see Red Bellies around from time to time. I keep laying rat bait under the house in those sealed containers (so the dog doesn't get to it).

If your dog gets bit then it is $700-$1000 in vet fees. Been there done that with our dog in the country. The country vets will have good supplies of antivenene, city vets limited supply.

[Dorian]

Garry
Young snakes often only eat insects for the first 6mths, 12 mths or so.
I think you'd be surprised at how many frogs live in suburbia.
Snakes run on the smell of an oily rag, they normally eat every few days and can go for a few weeks if needed, so the odd skink would be pretty good for them.
Black snakes are pretty timid, so unless the dog bothered it, it would be unlikely that it would be bitten.

[jonesfam]

& other snakes.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

All native wildlife (except dingos) are protected in NSW.

If she wants to have the snake removed contact the local NP&WS office for local herpetologists.

[carjunkieanon]

Nice timing on the post.

Saw our first Red Belly for the summer today. Most of it was hiding under the bins when I went out. Wore boots (instead of bare feet) when I went back to chase it away.

Saw it later in the front garden when bringing the boys home from school. Good reason to not do the weeding I reckon.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

We had some pet red bellies on our farm, they lived in the hay shed eating mice and probably the young of other snake species. You'd lift up a bale of hay and find one curled up underneath, we'd put the bale down and pick up the next one.

In better than 40 years in that property none of the family was ever bitten by a red bellie. Had some tigers in the creek and lost some heifer calves to them but they probably annoyed the snakes.

[101RRS]

Thanks for all the comments - definitely no more frogs in the area, maybe a few mice but a few lizards.

We got the first one back in 1986 and have had them every few years and always in the same spot - the back patio is concrete and about 6" off the ground so you cannot get under it. I try to kid my 10yo nephew to go under and get the snakes but he won't be in it :o.

I think that each year a big mummy redback must go in there to hybernate and have their babies - we rarely see the big one and it definitily does not hang around but get the little ones in spring - normally only one so I guess the biggest babies eat the smaller ones.

Diana - it would be nice to catch and relocate but when your mum is nearly 87 and suns itself near the back door so I am afraid it will get the chop if it I see it.

She has called the snake catcher over the years but only once has one been caught and relocated. The issue is that where they sun themselves, they can just sliver back under the patio where you cannot get it. The snake catcher would have to be there when it came out.

We have also had green tree snakes from time to time but they are not a worry.

Cheers

Garry

[bob10]

Water. place a container of water, away from the house. Snakes are attracted to pet water, in time of drought. Worth a try, Bob

[scarry]

Rodents and rabbit kittens. There still may be frogs around - we're in suburbia but are probably 300-400 mtr from a creek and get frogs in the yard. We see Red Bellies around from time to time. I keep laying rat bait under the house in those sealed containers (so the dog doesn't get to it).

If your dog gets bit then it is $700-$1000 in vet fees. Been there done that with our dog in the country. The country vets will have good supplies of antivenene, city vets limited supply.

That was cheap,relatives dog was bitten this time last year by a red bellied.
Almost $3000 at the vet,and all good.
Red bellies seem to like drains,dams,creeks,anywhere near water.
Where we have lived for the last 14yrs,on top of a hill i have never seen one.About 2 k's away at the bottom of the hill near the river have seen many.

[Don 130]

$1,300.00 to revive our jack russell almost exactly a year ago. He bailed up the red belly that visits the pond near our front door.
Don.

[CraigE]

Garry
Young snakes often only eat insects for the first 6mths, 12 mths or so.
I think you'd be surprised at how many frogs live in suburbia.
Snakes run on the smell of an oily rag, they normally eat every few days and can go for a few weeks if needed, so the odd skink would be pretty good for them.
Black snakes are pretty timid, Really? You do know a King Brown is actually a Black Snake, hardly a timid snake, though generally Red Belly Blacks are ok. We also have frogs in our garden all of a sudden, apparemtly shows the garden is in good health and the soil retaining moisture.so unless the dog bothered it, it would be unlikely that it would be bitten.
Habe highlighted something

[CraigE]

That was cheap,relatives dog was bitten this time last year by a red bellied.
Almost $3000 at the vet,and all good.
Red bellies seem to like drains,dams,creeks,anywhere near water.
Where we have lived for the last 14yrs,on top of a hill i have never seen one.About 2 k's away at the bottom of the hill near the river have seen many.

I would be asking questions about the $3k charge, there is no reason for that type of charge.

[dennisS1]

Back of the shovel is a very cost-effective solution.
And if you think it is dangerous to you or others, you have not broken any law.
Dennis

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A joe blake in a back yard is different to on a farm, but red bellies rarely attack unless cornered or you step on them. Very different to browns and tigers, but I'd rather see red bellies relocated than killed so that's why I suggested the herpetologist for Garry's Mum.

[DBT]

We had a snake in our yard, about a month ago. First time in 11 years. We're in semi-rural location: Fenced 1/2 acre blocks, with horse paddocks at both ends of the street.

Youngest son saw it first, on the driveway. He had almost jumped off the verandah on top of it, but saw it just in time. He then ran in the opposite direction, freaking out. We dint believe him, 'till a minute later, casually searching, we saw it glide out from under the caravan, and disappear under the house.

It was an adult Eastern Brown.

I was standing about 5' away and I just froze in ... disbelief.

Seconds later our cat strolled in after it. "That's the end of the cat", I thought, as I pulled my mobile phone out and started searching for assistance.

The cat was not stoopid, thankfully. It actually herded it out of the yard, somehow. If our dogs had seen it, I shudder to think about the likely outcome.

After chatting to the local snake man on the phone soon after, I felt very lucky this snake had moved on without a fuss. Snake-man was reluctant to attend, unless we saw it again and could monitor it, as he felt it was just passing through, looking for water.

A day later we saw a dead one, same breed and size, about 1 km away on the road. Dunno if the same snake, but we haven't seen another since.

Regardless, we're keeping our lawn very short this summer. :(

[Greatsouthernland]

All native wildlife (except dingos) are protected in NSW.

If she wants to have the snake removed contact the local NP&WS office for local herpetologists.

Respectfully, if you are concerned for your safety or that of others (I.e. children, pets and elderly) you are permitted to kill it.

I have been told this by a Ranger but as the various states and territories fail to agree on much, it wouldn't hurt to ring your respective state's NP&W.

As to doing the deed, easier said than done, 12g the ultimate tool, spade/shovel, fencing wire double twisted across the back with a fair bit of downward swing action, whatever method try not to miss, second chance is a bit more concerning...

Each to their own Dianne, live and let live to a point, but with kids around it's understandable to remove the risk and as I'm told quite legal. Where's Londonboy with the strict legal interp? ... bat signal?

Edit. Agreed most bites occur when trying to kill one, if in doubt then seek help. Identification is near impossible visually, what appears black may be brown or tiger. Taipan (inland and coastal) will attack if unprovoked, and agree a placid black is good to have around as it will guard its territory against other less desirable species...

High doses of vitamin C have helped cats pull through a bite...apparently. And Ive been bitten by a juvenile but never saw the snake!

[CraigE]

You have a much greater risk of being bitten by trying to kill it and is when most bites actually occur. Most times just give them an avenue to get away and make some noise and use a stick to thump the ground. Much better to get a snake handler who knows how to approach.
And if you kill one you may be required to prove beyond doubt that it was endangering life, the ranger or DEC officer may not take your word for it and may still issue a fine to which you have to prove you had cause.
So far this year 190 reported snake bites. A large proportion of these are dry bites, no venom injection. Of these the majority are people trying to handle or trying to kill that have little to no experience with snakes. The most common of these is intoxicated males.
Most people have an irrational fear of snakes, generally most snakes are not aggressive unless cornered.

[UncleHo]

All snakes are protected in our yard,yeah! with a sharpened post hole shovel,we have pedigree dogs, and also cats semi rural with stock in adjacent paddock,last one to meet it's maker was a rough scaled Taipan, (Scallie Charlie) aka aggressive Taipan :( but, identified Red Belly Blacks are just watched and shepherded through the chain wire---OUT :)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Respectfully, if you are concerned for your safety or that of others (I.e. children, pets and elderly) you are permitted to kill it.

....Yes, I'm not disputing that, but respectively, if you know joe blake lives under the back steps, get an expert to remove it and make under your house snake proof so they don't move back in. No one is at risk then,

[muddy]

,last one to meet it's maker was a rough scaled Taipan, (Scallie Charlie) aka aggressive Taipan :(


You told me they like to sunbake in the middle of the road :o

[101RRS]

Just spoke to my Mum and she says she has not seen it for a few days though the dog (****zoo Maltese x) knows where it is.

It would also seem that the lizards also knows where it is as well. my Mum said that all the large skinks have moved to the other side of the yard as well as some sort of dragon - she says it runs on its back legs and used to hang out in the area where the snake is now.

The guy next door is going to buy her one of these from Aldi tomorrow:o. My Mum is always a sucker for gadgets.

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/saturday-22-november-2014/saturday-detail-wk47/ps/p/solar-snake-repleller/

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Many years (decades) ago we had a LROC club trip to the Beecroft Peninsula near Nowra. Near the end the trip the convoy was on a gravel road from the lighthouse and a number of drivers commented about the red bellie crossing the road, one hero decided he was going to kill the snake (in a wildlife sanctuary) by driving and skidding his wheels over it. After a cloud of dust none of the tail end of the trip could see the snake.

Next morning the hero had a black snake in his garage, it was thrown up and wrapped itself around the axle and it travelled home alive.

[101RRS]

I used to drive around the Beecroft Range a fair bit in my old series 1 and there were red bellies on the tracks everywhere - they often could feel the car coming and would stand up like a cobra with their flattened necks - a few got sconed by the bumper but I was always worried about one getting caught up underneath.

[Bundalene]

Just spoke to my Mum and she says she has not seen it for a few days though the dog (****zoo Maltese x) knows where it is.

It would also seem that the lizards also knows where it is as well. my Mum said that all the large skinks have moved to the other side of the yard as well as some sort of dragon - she says it runs on its back legs and used to hang out in the area where the snake is now.

The guy next door is going to buy her one of these from Aldi tomorrow:o. My Mum is always a sucker for gadgets.

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/saturday-22-november-2014/saturday-detail-wk47/ps/p/solar-snake-repleller/


Tell your neighbour not to waste his money. We have good friends who live on a few acres at Mt Hunter ...not far from Camden... and they have serious snake issues. (Two dogs bitten, one saved one sadly not). ..they tried these repellers, and they didn't 't work for them.

They ended up placing fine mesh wire all around their house fencing....up to about one meter off ground level. They have actually caught snakes trying to get through the mesh and became stuck. They have this mesh all around their house and pool fences.

So far this year they have had no snakes ...but summer is just starting.

They run cattle on their property and feed the cattle grain, which attracts mice, which in turn attracts snakes.

We get plenty at our place at Horsley Park as well and do try to leave them alone. If they hang around the house though...that's another matter...:rocket::rocket:

[Greatsouthernland]

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No 80
Current version for 1 August 2014 to date (accessed 22 November 2014 at 17:36)
Part 7Section 112 NSW Legislation (http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+80+1974+fn+0+N)

<< page >>

112 Harming snakes

'A person shall not be convicted of an offence against this Act in respect of the harming of a snake unless it is proved that there were no grounds on which the person could reasonably have believed at any relevant time that the snake was endangering, or was likely to endanger, any person or property.'

To me this is common sense for once, every person has their own level of fear and what constitutes danger to you and yours. Just because someone (even be they an irrational lover of all creatures great and small) may be hell bent on insisting they are harmless and the law says 'YOU MUST NOT...', the legal system requires it to be proved that you DIDN'T act on your own personal feelings, however different they may be from another's. Tough to do I would imagine??

Awaiting the legal gurus to rip the above to shreds :angel:

Also below is proof that blacks are better to have around than browns :eek:

You are what you eat - ABC Riverina NSW - Australian Broadcasting Corporation (http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/01/27/2475019.htm'site=riverina&rotator=true)

And this beauty :o

Massive red belly released | Newcastle Herald (http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2599632/massive-red-belly-released/)

[bob10]

Just my 2 bobs worth. this time of year, snakes are out of hibernation, hungry as . They are also looking for love. Make sure your mum has no source of food , or water, to keep the snake in that area. The fact you say their are skinks & lizards there, makes me think the snake is getting his strength up, before he gets jiggy with it. He will move on, looking for love. Just make sure your mum does not go outside at night, without a good torch. Bob

[flyinglandrover]

We had a guy bitten here a couple of weeks ago, he was working for the Catchment Management Authority weeding the plantings along the river banks. From what I hear it was a very aggressive tiger that bit and wrapped around his arm. I believe he was flown to Melbourne but did not survive.

[Greatsouthernland]

We had a guy bitten here a couple of weeks ago, he was working for the Catchment Management Authority weeding the plantings along the river banks. From what I hear it was a very aggressive tiger that bit and wrapped around his arm. I believe he was flown to Melbourne but did not survive.

Sad to hear that Gary.

My old man was chased across the Murray by a tiger snake when he was a lad, his dad was yelling at him to swim faster as the snake was gaining. Tigers are (more often than not) very ferocious from many accounts and have long solid fangs that efficiently deliver their venom, they also look black depending on age and season.

Coastal taipans too, electricity worker was bitten on the neck in Yeppoon and died sadly.

Taipan kills worker in central Queensland (http://www.news.com.au/national/taipan-kills-worker-in-central-queensland/story-fncynjr2-1226513253987)

[DBT]

And this beauty :o

Massive red belly released | Newcastle Herald (http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2599632/massive-red-belly-released/)

That is the snake guy i spoke to on the phone, during my experience above. He told me about that one, which he had caught the day before i phoned him. When we confirmed my snake was an eastern brown, his next words were "my condolances". Needless to say, I did not find that comment reasuring.

The fatalities mentioned above are very sobering indeed.

[jonesfam]

We have free range Guinea Fowl, Roosters & some hens, they get into any snakes that come around during the day. The snakes generally take off or end up a tree. The kookaburras also give them a hard time.


The problem with free range fowl is that they make good goanna tucker & the goannas usually beat us to the eggs. So we feed chooks to feed goannas, must do a cost analysis on that 1 day.


Jonesfam

[Tombie]

The guy next door is going to buy her one of these from Aldi tomorrow:o. My Mum is always a sucker for gadgets.

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/saturday-22-november-2014/saturday-detail-wk47/ps/p/solar-snake-repleller/


Those things.... :)

I had a photo here somewhere of a Eastern Brown curled up with one!

[kenleyfred]

87498
Not venomous, but somewhat fatal for this poor drunk that had passed out next a road in South Africa

[mike123]

That was cheap,relatives dog was bitten this time last year by a red bellied.
Almost $3000 at the vet,and all good.


Our dog was only in overnight at the vet when he was bit by the snake but the vet said sometimes they have to stay in for 5 days depending upon how they react. That would add a bit more but $3K sounds steep. Our dog weighs 26kg so not a small dog. This was at a country vet in NSW on the weekend of the rugby league grand final 2 years ago.

As a coincidence our dog was also bitten by a spider about 2 months ago. He was treated in Sydney that time and that was $1,100 for surgery and one nights stay.

[DiscoMick]

Why not just leave it alone? A red bellied black is unlikely to harm anyone unless cornered. It might keep the rat and mouse population down too.
Of course, some snakes are hostile, but most just want to be left alone.

[d@rk51d3]

87498
Not venomous, but somewhat fatal for this poor drunk that had passed out next a road in South Africa
My sister and her husband met a fella in South Africa a few years ago. He woke in the middle of the night, feeling hot and sweaty. Tried to kick off his sleeping bag, only to find himself half swallowed by a big snake.

The following screams woke everyone, and they managed to get him out.

[101RRS]

Eaten Alive

Reality TV's New Extreme: Being 'Eaten Alive' by a Giant Anaconda Snake - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reality-tvs-extreme-eaten-alive-giant-anaconda-snake/story?id=26727681)

Apparently has been done, the video not yet released but snake and person survived.

[Greatsouthernland]

My sister and her husband met a fella in South Africa a few years ago. He woke in the middle of the night, feeling hot and sweaty. Tried to kick off his sleeping bag, only to find himself half swallowed by a big snake.

The following screams woke everyone, and they managed to get him out.

I wish I didn't just read that...or look at the pictures above :unsure:

Sweet dreams :closedeyes::glare::mellow::blink: