At the 2022 Tulip Festival in Wynyard, Northwest Snake Catchers tipped the scales, inspiring awe and more than a few shudders from onlookers. They were also kind enough to offer snake safety advice as we head into the warmer weather.
Scott Smith explained what their business offers and why they brought their showcase to the festival.
“We have handlers from Smithton to Deloraine,” he said, “and relocate snakes from people’s properties. Also we attend schools and do a lot of snake awareness education for kids. And then we come to events like this just to pretty much put on snake shows. All it is really though, is a big Q and A for everyone. They all just pile to the tents and ask us questions about snakes. So it's good because we get to educate the public on snake awareness and snake behaviour.”
Inside the pit with over half a dozen venomous snakes and appearing very calm and in control was snake catcher Kate Downing. While she was wearing above the ankle leather boots for safety, Kate explained that these specific snakes were accustomed to humans and to being handled, and that they were slow moving due to the cold, so the risk to her safety on the day was minimal. The snakes contained within the lined pit, were mostly Tiger Snakes with one Copperhead peacefully coiled.
When asked why the snakes were not behaving defensive, Scott Smith replied, “The snakes don’t fear us, they know we’re not going to hurt them inside the pit, and they’re used to us walking around them. A snake in the wild primarily, as soon you get close to it, it’s going to try to get away ‘cause it doesn’t want anything to do with us. The only time we sort of have problems is when we try to interact with those wild snakes, then they get defensive.”
Giving advice for going into warmer weather and snake season, Scott Smith recommends,
“The first thing is keeping the yard and the house clutter free and having a plan. So if you do live in an area where you frequently get snakes, you want to make sure that your safety comes first. So, you’ve got pressure bandages available, you’ve got the kids educated about snakes and not to touch them. The other things you can do is keep the pet water bowls up high, control the rodents around your property, keep the gardens nice and clean and tidy so that if you do get a snake you’re going to be able to see it…. and obviously have our phone number on your fridge.”
