CENTRALIAN ADVOCATE (Alice Springs, Australia) 25 September 09 Snakes are out and they are bigger (Daniel Burdon)

The snakes are out and they are bigger, fatter and more numerous than they have been for a while.

Central Australian householders have been warned after a huge black-headed western brown caused a stir at the Telegraph Station at the weekend.

Reptile Centre's Rex Neindorf and snake catcher Justin Rutherford have had more than 20 call-outs in the past couple of weeks.

The dangerous snake, one of more than 18 different breeds found in the Centre, was seen slithering through the grass at the Telegraph Station on Sunday, disrupting several family picnics.

But Mr Neindorf said once he arrived after getting a call, he found the snake in the main carpark heading for the hills and safety away from the scary humans following it.

The snake on the left is a mulga snake, a highly venomous black snake, found on a property in the rural area. Mr Neindorf said the property owner and his three-month-old son had a close call when the mulga slithered past the baby and headed for longer grass as they hung out the washing.

He said this snake season was sure to be a big one, with most snakes they have found being "big, fat and healthy".

Mr Neindorf said the early return of warm weather to the region would see more snakes coming out to enjoy the sun.

He warned people not to interfere with them, but to call the Reptile Centre for help.

He said people with pools should be extra careful to check the pool and surrounds before jumping in, and to take care when cleaning filter baskets as snakes could get stuck inside them. To report a snake call 0407 983 276.
Snakes are out and they are bigger

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