WA News

'Six tiger snakes in seven minutes': Herdsman a hotspot in pre-summer slither

Perth's winter has been historically cold at times and doesn't look like thawing out any time soon, but that hasn't stopped potentially deadly snakes emerging from their seasonal slumber.

Walker Alana Ball claimed she saw six snakes in seven minutes when enjoying a stroll around Herdsman Lake on Saturday afternoon. 

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A lot of people would turn around pretty fast if they saw what Broome musician Tonchi McIntosh stumbled across on his morning stroll, but he took a video instead.

"Five minutes into our walk around Herdsman Lake we saw our first tiger snake, seven minutes later we'd seen another five and decided to call it quits," Ms Ball posted on Facebook. 

Ms Ball told WAtoday she had been deterred from visiting the area this coming summer. 

"I usually walk at cooler times of the day to try and avoid snakes," she said.

"I've been walking there for three or four years and this is the first time I've seen a snake.  I probably won't go there until next winter."

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Herdsman Lake featured on BBC Earth's TV show Deadly 60, and host and herpetologist Steve Backshall reported the area had one of the highest concentrations of tiger snakes in mainland Australia. 

Snake catcher Marcus Consentino said while snakes were active in the metropolitan area year round he was seeing an increased number of call outs as the weather warms. 

Tiger snakes are said to be in strong supply around Herdsman Lake.
Tiger snakes are said to be in strong supply around Herdsman Lake. Photo: Brook Mitchell

Mr Consentino said Herdsman Lake was a "hotspot" for venomous tiger snakes, and urged people to be careful when walking in the area, even with forecast maximum temperatures staying below 20 degrees for the next week. 

"There is a huge population there," he said. 

Perth snake catcher Marcus Cosentino.
Perth snake catcher Marcus Cosentino. 

"I would go for a walk in winter and see three or four in a kilometre stretch."

Mr Consentino said snakes were not aggressive and most bites occurred when people tried to kill or remove the reptiles. The last recorded fatal tiger snake bite in Australia came in Victoria in 2014.

With snake activity increasing, Department of Parks and Wildlife warned people to be cautious when outdoors, particularly around swamps, bushland and other freshwater sources. 

Wildlife Officer Matt Swan urged people to ensure their backyards were free from long grass, household rubbish and construction materials.   

"Rats and mice are a source of food for these animals," Mr Swan said. 

"We'd advise people to clean up their mess, don't go leaving food crumbs around or rubbish out in the yard that these animals can shelter underneath."

Snakes have been in the news in the past week, with a massive sea snake captured of camera sun bathing on Cable Beach in Broome and two people in regional WA were hospitalised after being bitten by snakes late last week.