Fangtastic Reptile Services

19/04/2025

Hi again. I hope everyone is having a happy and safe Easter.

This may not be really that relevant important in the scheme of things but it does bother me that it can still happen in society today and especially in the little town of Bungendore.

Not so long ago, Lions hosted a Youth Disco at the Bungendore War Memorial Hall and asked if I had a sign that may be able to prevent kids from using the side gate. I didn't at the time but I looked online and managed to order a small metal one that arrived on the day of the event. It was put on the gate for the event but hasn't been seen since.

The cost was negligible but I only didn't even get a chance to engrave the Fangtastic details on it. That sign would have been used on transport boxes so it wasn't just a novelty and I just hope it wasn't a Bungendore local who thought it was OK to take something that didn't belong to them.

08/04/2025

https://www.nationalsnakebitesupport.org/nss-snakebite-management-education/allergies-alphagal-preexisting-conditions-and-antivenom?fbclid=IwY2xjawJha0BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi2hMYPjIrv8m3lnKQAbK85gmTHGg0c9HeD3afKD2HEt5BURnEfKkUFVKaFo_aem_QFS5_xlzG0dLfhFf5gz6FQ

Antivenom is the only effective treatment to neutralize venom effects.

30/03/2025

The season is slowing.

As the night temperatures drop to below 10 degrees, our elapids will be either already in or near or will be seriously looking for a place to sleep for winter. Fangtastic is still available for any rescues other than Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of April due to overnight surgery, some days on the weekends where I have some other commitments or the odd day during the week when involved with life in general but otherwise, the service is still on call.

Over winter, I would like to so some community information sessions, free or by donation, in as many locations as possible to ensure snake awareness is out there and the bite count can be reduced from the higher level this season. I hope to have the first sessions booked in May with several over the following months but will be arranging venues now to ensure the community has plenty of time to organise. I may consider doing something online if that helps people but there is a lot of information and it is very hard to extract what is most important and practical things like bandaging is best done in person.

Please continue to stay safe and if working around wood piles in preparation for the cold months, please wear gloves. Accidental bites do happen when a hand has disturbed a sleeping elapid in wood piles and good gloves are the best physical protection (along with carrying a bandage and mobile phone for the emergency kit).

22/03/2025

11/03/2025

I've been trying to get this for a while but finally I can show the actual location of the fangs if an Eastern Brown Snake in the mouth of the animal.

This is the head of a deceased eastern brown snake that passed after being caught in netting which has the mouth open and shows where the fangs sit in the top jaw of the snake.

Our elapids are fixed front fang reptiles which means the fangs do not fold back like some other species of other countries. They can open their jaw to about 145 degrees give or take which is just about the same as angle of your thumb and forefinger if opened as far as possible. This does explain why many bites are often not envenomating when on a larger part of the body such as the thigh or buttock but angle make just as much difference as often just turning the head slightly of a snake can mean a strike can get both fangs deep into the skin. Feet are the highest risk site as they are closest to the ground and the tissue is extremely thin on top which can mean a systemic bite straight into the blood stream. Add to that the curves of the feet and toes make it easier to get a strike with the jaw angle and the feet become the highest risk point for a potentially deadly snake bite.

The message: wear shoes and don't annoy an elapid.

11/03/2025

Snake and reptile update

The season will be slowing down sometime but it is hard to know when. We have had warm weather up to April in previous years and the next week at least is still very reptile comfortable.

I am seeing some snakes that are holing up now for brumate and like the reverse in spring, when they find somewhere, they go in and out of that spot to bask but won't move far from it. This gives a unique opportunity to catch the critters before they hunker down but timing is critical and it can be difficult. Once the weather is cold enough, the snakes won't come out again until spring but as it has been getting onsiderably warmer over the winters, that cold time is only assumed at 4 months but depending on location and the sun, it could be even less.

Reptiles cannot control their metabolic reaction to the environment so are reliant on heat and therefore in the wild, where the sun is shining and for how long of a day makes all the difference. Humans use concrete and brick for building which if north facing and unshaded, is a lovely place to spend winter for a reptile but dirt seems also to be rather essential for temperature consistency.

The good news is the snakes are looking now and once they find a suitable place, most won't leave that place. It is still a time of caution, however, as a snake being disturbed when going to bed can be behaviourally defensive so please be cautious around wood piles or if cleaning up around the yard, wear gloves and call someone if needed.

05/03/2025

Absolutely love this!!!

Detailed and complete instructions on the correct way to use a snake bite kit.

05/03/2025

Yes, non venomous snakes can bite and yes, they do hurt!

01/03/2025

I am really starting to wonder about the licencing land in Queensland for snake rescue. Handling again in shorts, no bag and no hook(which would have been the best way to get the snake out without a bite). What would hr have done if it was venomous snake? A torch can assist in seeing scales so no fingers need to get in to separate anything but the hook is essential for encouraging reptiles out.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15AvThtmhy/?mibextid=oFDknk

28/02/2025

Someone asked about bites this season and I can confirm that they are up significantly across Australia as a whole but locally as well.

When I got tagged there were multiples in the week before and after in QPRC so carrying that bandage is more important than ever.

It is not known what the circumstances are around many bites as it is not advertised or people keep quiet about them (even though it is very useful information for researchers to have that otherwise have to wait for university publications) but it must be pointed out that if you are untrained, unlicensed and uninsured but think you are doing a neighbour a favour by attempting a snake removal, you are breaking the law, risking your life and livelihood and could possibly be doing the snake harm.

There are FREE snake handlers in QPRC so there is no need to worry about cost of a call out and we are all available as much as we possibly can be.

Someone may get bitten and think because they have had the antivenin and walked out alive that it is just another event. There are serious long term complications from snake bite and/or antivenin that is not reported but I can guarantee that losing nerve function in a limb or uncorrectable double vision for life are very possible.

Being bitten by a snake can reduce lifespan significantly so if you want to make it to retirement, please leave the handling to the consultants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/14RQer7PCu/?mibextid=oFDknk

50 Snake bites in 10 days!! 🐍

It’s truly alarming to hear that there have been 50 snake bites reported in just 10 days by the Queensland Ambulance Service this month. This highlights the urgent need for awareness and education about snake safety. As a company, we take our responsibility very seriously, and we always strive to inform those who have relocated or harmed snakes about the potential consequences of their actions. We understand that soft education doesn’t always resonate, which is why we’re committed to preventing these mistakes from happening again.

It’s essential that all snake catchers and identification groups share this mission, ensuring that anyone who illegally relocates or harms a snake is made aware of the rules and the importance of following them. Unfortunately, we’ve noticed some illegal activities being overlooked which is disappointing and concerning. We will continue to advocate for public awareness of the regulations to keep everyone safe, including our snakes. We genuinely care about the well-being of both people and wildlife, so please remember to leave snake catching to the professionals.

It’s illegal to catch or kill snakes without the proper permits, and we’re here to help. If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to call us at 0409 536 000. Your safety and the safety of the snakes matter to us! 🐍

26/02/2025

I dont think ai mised any calls in the ladt few days but thank you to ACT Snake Removals for the Bungendore backup.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D4NrhH3PT/?mibextid=oFDknk

26/02/2025

Fangtastic Reptile Services will NOT be available Thursday 27th Feb or Sunday the 2nd of March. Sorry if this causes any issues but please call Wildcare on 62991966 for any urgent reptile concerns.