Snakes still active in winter

[NathanaelB]

Including:

The copperhead snake is the only Australian venomous snake found above the snowline, and is active in weather usually considered too cold for snakes

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environ ... jo?stb=red

[Zone-5]

The Alpine (or Highland) Copperhead snake == DANGEROUS

...just in case you don't know what it looks like!

http://museumvictoria.com.au/forest/ima ... 728_md.jpg

Highland Copperhead – this species occurs in woodland and open forest, usually near water (especially still water such as in wetlands and small creeks). It also inhabits disturbed areas such as grazing lands and cleared areas. The snake shelters under fallen timber in deep matted vegetation such as tussock grasses, in abandoned burrows and under large flat stones.

Danger to humans and first aid

Copperheads tend to be secretive and prefer to avoid encounters with humans. If cornered a copperhead will hiss loudly, flatten its body and thrash or flick about, but usually without biting. Further provocation will cause the snake to lash out and bite. The venom is powerfully neurotoxic, haemolytic and cytotoxic, and a bite from an adult of any of the species may be potentially fatal without medical assistance.

http://australianmuseum.net.au/copperhead

[north-north-west]

So?

Don't get the big fuss about snakes. You're far more likely to be hurt driving up to wherever you're going walking.

[peregrinator]

So?

Don't get the big fuss about snakes. You're far more likely to be hurt driving up to wherever you're going walking.

You are correct. But some people (me, for example) tend to think they're quite unlikely to encounter snakes at winter. So I read this as a this is a useful warning.

[Zone-5]

So? Don't get the big fuss about snakes. You're far more likely to be hurt driving up to wherever you're going walking.

Perhaps in your case it's was a factor... viewtopic.php?p=268482#p268482

So I read this as a this is a useful warning.

...for most others it's probably better for them to be able to recognise the danger first than for it to just happen to them.

[north-north-west]

Snake Rule 1: If you see a snake, don't bother it.
Snake Rule 2: See Rule 1

[NathanaelB]

Don't get the big fuss about snakes. You're far more likely to be hurt driving up to wherever you're going walking.

True, but I have tended to go stomping through long grass in winter assuming the snakes were all sleeping underground ... won't make that assumption any more.