SA residents warned of unusual increase of snake sightings in winter
As snakes head out to soak up the winter sun in South Australia, one Adelaide council has issued a warning to residents
READING LEVEL: GREEN
A spate* of snake sightings across Adelaide has sparked one council to issue a snake warning to residents the area.
The City of Tea Tree Gully took to Facebook urging locals to exercise caution* when on walks and to keep dogs on leads, especially near the River Torrens*.
Pest management project officer Brad Mann said sightings were reported in the surrounding suburbs.
“We believe that recent high water events* along the River Torrens may have disturbed snakes from their hibernation*,” Mr Mann said.
Snake sightings are generally rare in the cold months.
While reptiles do not hibernate, they brumate*, becoming less active and sheltering as their metabolism* slows down because of the temperature drop.
Ange Broadstock from Snake Catchers Adelaide said it had been the busiest winter in her 12 years with the company.
“We’ve already had three or four jobs this week,” Ms Broadstock said.
“Any time there’s a bit of summer weather through the winter, there’s a chance of a snake coming out to catch a bit of sun.”
Ms Broadstock said most of her recent calls have been for brown snakes, which were “relatively timid*”.
“They just prefer to be away from people,” she said.
“If they’re cornered*, that’s when they get a bit irritated*, as you would if someone is coming at you with a shovel.
“The best thing to do is to keep an eye on it from a safe distance and call a snake catcher.”
Ms Broadstock said snakes that got indoors were most likely seeking cool, tiled areas like the kitchen or laundry.
“If it goes into a room, then close the door and put a towel under the gap so it can’t squeeze out underneath,” she said.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- spate: a large number or sudden increase in something, in this story, it refers to a significant number of snake sightings
- exercise caution: be careful and pay attention to potential risks
- River Torrens: the main river in Adelaide, which is 85km long
- hibernation: a state of deep sleep and inactivity that some animals go into during the cold months
- high water events: periods of heavy rainfall or flooding
- disturbed: to be agitated or disrupted from a usual state
- brumate: similar to hibernation, a state of inactivity in reptiles due to cold temperatures
- metabolism: the process by which living organisms convert food into energy for their bodies to function
- timid: shy or easily frightened
- cornered: trapped in a confined space or situation with no escape route
- irritated: annoyed or provoked
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QUICK QUIZ
- What prompted one council in Adelaide to issue a warning to residents in the area?
- Why did the City of Tea Tree Gully urge locals to exercise caution and keep dogs on leads?
- According to the pest management project officer Brad Mann, why were snake sightings reported in the surrounding suburbs?
- Why do snakes brumate in winter?
- If you encounter a snake indoors, what advice does Ange Broadstock from Snake Catchers Adelaide give to handle the situation safely?
LISTEN TO THE STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Write a job advertisement
Imagine that Snake Catchers Adelaide needs to hire a new snake catcher. Write the job advertisement to find the perfect person. Include a summary of the job as well as the personal qualities, skills and training that you think would be needed.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science
2. Extension
Design a diagram that will help other kids understand the difference between hibernation and brumation. Use information from the story and perhaps your research skills to help you.
Time: allow 45 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Geography
VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.
- Think about:
- What is the main topic or idea?
- What is an important or interesting fact?
- Who was involved (people or places)?
- Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.