Because I'm Australian and grew up in the country, I was taught how to take them down with a sharpened shovel when I was five. Coincidentally, I got my first one a few months later in the garage when it rushed out of a tarpaulin toward me and I shoveled the head off, just like mum taught me. Common brown too (a.k.a Eastern Brown, but they're everywhere. One of the most venomous snakes in the world).

My next one was a red-belly black snake that rushed out of a log. I used a mallet to crush the head and was 6. Also one of the venomous snakes in the world. We have most of them here.

Always go straight for the head with distance and speed.

It may sound cruel to not try scare them into an area and call someone for removal, but they're just too dangerous. And if it's there, it's made territory there, so if you lose it it will definitely show up again. Most are aggressive, so you need to take the chance when you've got it because it's simply more dangerous not to and come off second best next time.

It's also common to deal with pythons, getting one sunbaking off the road or out of the house if it overstepped it's boundaries. We like those ones though and definitely don't hurt them, especially if they make home in the roof or under the house. They keep the possums and mice away, therefore the venomous ground snakes away. Roof python is snek bro and a very welcome guest. It's sad when you notice one's probably moved out :(

[–] FrostyCaveman@lemm.ee 34 points 8 months ago

Not even roof snek can afford the rent now

[–] Sidhean@lemmy.world 19 points 8 months ago

After reading about you (justly) killing snakes, I'm very glad I got to learn about roof pythons.

I think someine I know set a garter snake on fire once- that's about as much as I've interacted with them, anyway.

[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 8 points 8 months ago (2 children)

So you just walk around all the time with a sharpened shovel?

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 5 points 8 months ago

In Australia? I would.

[–] saltesc@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Not in my current house which is more in a city area, but I am about to move back into more bushland so, yeah. A sharpened shovel for the yard and garage. But with this new property, I should really only need to cover any gaps under the fencing with chicken wire and the grass beyond in the bush doesn't get too tall. Need to do that for fires anyway.

[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 months ago

So do you have any links to the proper technique?

[–] naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Are redbellies particularly dangerous? I've never heard of someone dying from one.

We had some living in the bush near where we used to play. They never bothered us at all, cowardly little ones.

I almost stepped on a young brown snake once when I was stoned, that was fun. Nothing sobers you up like the adrenaline your body puts out when you nearly got yourself killed. I was not anywhere where I could get medical attention in time.

Brown snakes are grumpy fuckers, they chase where most let you leave. Not a fan.

[–] saltesc@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Redbellies are only aggressive if threatened, unlike the browns that gets territorial and will go you. Redbellies aren't lethal as far as I know, but they'll mess up the body bad, especially a kid; necrosis from clotting, nerve damage, huge swelling, etc. Also definitely depends on the bite. Used to be friends with a snake handler who got bit by a coastal taipan and got anti-venom within the hour, but ended up being a dry bite (or mostly) anyway.

The one I hit with the mallet had just been knicked by the neighbour's chainsaw cutting up the log out of a huge fallen tree. I had the mallet because I was doing my kid best to hit steel wedges in to help split the wood off. Suddenly, very pissed off snake going toward me fast.

[–] noli@programming.dev 1 points 7 months ago

I want a roof python now