Spot the problem

Vince · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 3:56 am Post subject: Spot the problem

Here's one for you. You are walking through the bush, minding your own business, looking for deer sign, not overly concerned by the possibility of snakes although the lethality (is that a word?) of most Aussie snakes is always in the back of your mind...especially the master of camouflage, the Death Adder. The venom of the common death adder contains a highly toxic neurotoxin which causes paralysis. The snake can deliver the fastest strike of all the venomous snakes in Australia.

Do you think you would notice this guy (in the second pic) in time to avoid a possible bite?

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

Never seen one in the bush Vince
Don't go out of my way looking for them either
look at photo2, you think they'd get bored looking at their tail all day long
Crikey you wouldn't get far if you were constantly looking for one
They are supposed to be fairly common though
And they are usually a surprise when you do see a snake

Elvis · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

took me a full minute to spot the head..so nope I'd be stuffed..better hope the calf length booths and gaiters were good enough...definitely not a area to use dog for stalking.....they MIGHT be able to sniff them in time but would be a mongrel to watch your four legged buddy die after being hit.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

So now I'm just going to shoot into the ground in front of me every couple of steps, just in case...

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

So now I'm just going to shoot into the ground in front of me every couple of steps, just in case...

Hhahaha I was thinking the same thing.

-DallanC

Vince · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

tikkat3 wrote:

Never seen one in the bush Vince
Don't go out of my way looking for them either
look at photo2, you think they'd get bored looking at their tail all day long
Crikey you wouldn't get far if you were constantly looking for one
They are supposed to be fairly common though
And they are usually a surprise when you do see a snake

I've seen a couple in the bush Tiks...had to stand beside one on Fraser Island whilst a whole Company of soldiers filed past in case the snake took umbrage at being disturbed from his nap on a nice warm rock. Shocked

He was about the biggest Death Adder I've ever seen too...his body was almost as thick as my forearm. Shocked

I saw his eyes sort of open a bit, had a look, a couple of flicks with the tongue, and he obviously decided there wasn't any threat so he settled back down, thank goodness. Cool

When they are well hunkered down, like the one in the pic, chances of seeing them are almost zero, but unless you either stray too close or step on him he would more than likely ignore you.

Elvis, snake gaiters, especially the leather type, are a damn fine idea mate as most snakes can't penetrate them with their fangs.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:37 am Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

Nature's Land Mine!

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

WOW that one has got some real camo!He must use his tail as bait for some unsuspecting critter looking for a snack!I don't know how fast that one of the DA's can strike,out here in the western states we have diamond back rattle snakes which have a real quick record,and when I've been fishing in certain areas along creeks and streams in the more arid areas of the state-I wear what we call "tin Pants".That is cut down piece of stove pipe from ankle to just below the knee.Never been struck at yet,and hope that I dont find one that knows to strike above the knee either.And some days I wonder why I ever want to puit myself thru that much torture for a dang trout.Always carry at least a .22 pistol if not larger one and GI shovel for the head burial ceremony if I get a snake! Heck with this-I've got a big tom turkey about 600 yds from the house been calling at me every day,and yesterday was opening day,altho I had to be at the VA office yesterday-so today I'll go look up Mr. Tom! No snakes here either!

RePete · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

Elvis wrote:

took me a full minute to spot the head..so nope I'd be stuffed..better hope the calf length booths and gaiters were good enough...definitely not a area to use dog for stalking.....they MIGHT be able to sniff them in time but would be a mongrel to watch your four legged buddy die after being hit.

Me too.

I looked again and the rock is its head.

Great 'flage.

Add - Deb found it in 10 seconds.

dhc4ever · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

I'd be stuffed.
I have eastern browns in the yard but I make more noise than an AC\DC concert when I'm walking in knee high grass ( some slack bastard hasnt mowed) so they arent really a problem.

Suzanne · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

Since when can snakes hear.....I saw a guy jogging one time with an air horn to scare the snakes off of the pavement in Arizona. The pavement warms them up for the night so it's a common sight there. But snakes can't hear, they can sense vibrations though, so the thing to do is stomp your feet while walking through the tall grass (if you have the nerve to).

Suz
an
animal

PaulS · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

Spiders can't hear either and they sense vibrations too. They are hard wired to move toward the vibrations... are snakes wired the same way?

It might depend on the frequency and the strength of the vibration so, shooting a gun into the ground might be a good idea, or iot might bring the snake out mad as hill. (or a word that sounds close)

dhc4ever · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

Paul,
You nailed it for the kiwi's.....

Toadlet · Member Joined: Apr 16, 2016 Posts: 37

Spotted it straight away but what a fine idea to have "tin pants". Lucky us Kiwis don't have to worry about snakes in NZ

Vince · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 12:28 am Post subject: Re: Spot the problem

dhc4ever wrote:

Paul,
You nailed it for the kiwi's.....

That is gold Pete.