7 NEWS (Sydney, Australia) 06 November 13 Girl bitten by snake in backseat of car (Amanda Abate)
Snake bites are on the rise in the south-east with a Sunshine Coast schoolgirl becoming the latest victim. The 11-year-old was bitten in the back-seat of her mother's car.
The reptiles have also become an unwelcome attraction at Gold Coast theme parks.
Snake Catcher Tony Harrison has caught Keelbacks at two theme parks in the past week and another nearby in a creek at Oxenford.
Mating season has started early, combined with the warm weather, snakes across the south east are on the move..
In Maroochydore Abbey Hutton thought she was alone in her mother's parked car until she was nipped on her thigh.
"First I sat on it, and there was something wriggling around under me, and I got a little sting," she said.
The 11-year-old went straight into emergency, where medical professionals took a blood test and left her on a drip.
The blood tests indicate the snake that bit Abbey was non venomous but they can easily be mistaken for those that are.
“We have to seek medical attention no matter what sort of snake it is at the end of the day, brown snakes can vary a lot in colour," snake catcher Raymond Warbank said.
Reports of snake bites are on the rise in the past two months. Paramedics have treated 18 people on the Sunshine Coast alone and most cases are in the suburbs..
Experts say they're in gardens and backyards, emphasising snakes are not in the bush because it is dry and sparse
If you find one in your backyard, you should call a professional.
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