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While the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted Australia’s economy and plunged many into unemployment, there is a small industry waiting to grow: catching snakes.
Piton. (File photo) Source: istock.com
Melbourne’s Raymond Hoser has been catching snakes professionally since the 1970s and says he’s about to get busier than ever.
“Because people are at home and not away from home … we have a perfect storm where people will see more snakes,” he told AAP.
The snake expert who runs East Melbourne-based Snakebusters says spending hours indoors mowing the lawn and gardening will increase the likelihood of spotting unwanted reptiles.
“Everyone’s gardens look more immaculate than ever, but the flip side is that, in the tall grass, you won’t even see the snake,” he said.
The sunny weather on Saturday brought the snakes out of hibernation and Mr. Hoser was unusually busy.
It was called by tiger snakes in Warrandyte, Eltham, Diamond Creek, Northcote, Abbotsford, and Kew and by a brown snake in Avondale Heights. Picked up a bluetongue lizard in Avondale Heights.
The snake hunter expects calls to increase from now on, peaking at 20 to 30 calls a day in October.
The business was also unusually busy in March when the closings began and before winter drove the snakes away.
Most of the snakes in Melbourne are deadly, so Hoser advises caution.
“If you see a snake, stay away from it. Nine times out of ten if they are in your garden, they are passing by,” he said.
“If you get bitten, bandage your arm, straight to the hospital.
“Without treatment, he is likely to die. With treatment he will probably not die.”
