As snakes in gardens become more active across Australia, licensed snake catchers are responding to more call-outs in homes, particularly where chickens and birds are kept.
Stu, a snake catcher with the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, a 24/7 snake catching service, says his team is removing lots of carpet pythons from backyards right now after they target aviaries and chicken coops.
“Lots of chickens and birds in aviaries are being eaten by Carpet pythons at the moment. However, this happens a lot every year,” he says.
Do chickens attract snakes?
Yes, chickens and other pet birds do attract snakes, particularly carpet pythons. As for your pets, Stu says, a snake is only looking for something to eat.
“Snakes don’t target pets directly,” he says. “However, snakes are opportunistic predators, and if an opportunity arises to get themselves a feed and it happens to be a pet, then they will take it.”
Why carpet pythons are targeting chickens and birds right now
Carpet python activity (and all snake activity in general) increases significantly during Australia’s warmer months. As temperatures rise, these snakes become more active hunters, with their metabolism speeding up and driving them to seek out food more frequently.
The combination of increased snake activity and the concentration of vulnerable prey in backyard enclosures creates the perfect conditions for these annual encounters between carpet pythons and pet owners.
How to keep your pets safe from carpet pythons
There’s no easy solution for deterring snakes from your backyard. They play an important role in our ecosystem, and without them, there would be many more rodents.
When asked how pet owners can help keep their pets safe from snakes, Stu offers this advice.
“Pet owners definitely need to be making sure their pet enclosures are completely snake-proof (all sides of the enclosure and top and bottom sections).
“Snakes are great at finding gaps to squeeze through. This includes cat runs, chicken coops, guinea pig enclosures, bird aviaries, etc.”
In a recent Facebook post, Stu explains how easy it is for snakes to get into a bird cage. Fitting all of his fingers in between the bars, Stu says, “It’s easy for snakes to stretch the bars on a bird cage.”
WildLife QLD urges pet owners to enclose animal cages with fine mesh no larger than 5mm.
One thing he recommends for dog owners is snake-avoidance training.
“Snake-avoidance training for dogs can also be effective, says Stu. “Keeping an eye on your pets as much as possible, and if a snake enters your home or yard, remove pets and people from the area and call a licensed snake catcher.”
Are carpet pythons aggressive?
Carpet pythons are generally docile and avoid humans. They do not chase people and are unlikely to bite unless provoked, cornered or handled. Most incidents occur when people attempt to move or capture the snake themselves.
Are carpet pythons dangerous to humans?
Carpet pythons are not venomous, and bites to humans are rare. When a carpet python bites, it’s usually because the snake feels threatened or is handled incorrectly.
A carpet python bite can be painful and may cause puncture wounds, bleeding and bruising. Because their teeth curve backwards, bites can tear skin if the snake isn’t released properly. Seek medical attention to clean the wound and reduce the risk of infection.
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