Hi everybody, I am seriously considering migrating to Australia fron Canada. But I just had the shivers when I saw that snake. I have a BIG phobia for snakes and is one thing I'm grateful about in Canada. Please tell me. Are there snakes in Australia? Do they venture out and near the houses? I would really appreciate your response

Hello and welcome to the forum.

"Are there snakes in Australia?" - There are approximately 142 species of snake in Australia, a figure that’s split between land-based and sea-based snakes.

Encounters between snakes and humans are rare. Most deaths occur when humans decide to play with them.

I've been here 6 years and have never seen a snake.

I can't remember seeing any posts / threads on here about problems with snakes.

Enjoy B.E.

Oh thank you very much for the info. You can't imagine all the scenarios I have played out in mind in this short time. If phobias could be any more problematic, then I have a super problematic phobia. Thanks though.

We are in a Brisbane suburb about 20 minutes from the CBD. Our property backs onto bushland and we do get a lot of snakes around our house.

Some examples of the past couple of years... dog caught snake at my feet whilst I was standing at washing line, snake under wheelie bin in car port, husband trod on snake in pergola outside back door, massive python along fence beside car door in car port...

Family in other parts of the country (in the bush) have had snakes in the house and amongst herbs at the back door.

It is true that snake encounters are (relatively) unusual, but they most certainly do happen. The problem is, you just never know where or when.

If you like gardening, you'll hate snakes in Australia. I do.

That is certainly no good news. U mean you had all these encounters within 2 years? And they enter houses too? Not goodd at all. Are they likely to show up in built up areas with no bushes around?

In a city, honestly, I doubt it.

Country towns, city outskirts, towns and suburbs, possible but quite rare.

The bush, no doubt.

Thanks brissybee. Please people, could you share your experiences? I am truly concerned about this.

To put things into context, there are people on BE (only a couple I'm sure ) who might label me a whingy pom... and it is fair to say I do sometimes go on about hating the scary fauna in Australia. (That, and the stinking hot weather are my pet peeves.)

But I also hate it when people pass on rose coloured glasses to the unknowing. The fact is, people in Australia aren't tripping over snakes at every turn... but without a doubt, they are here and there are some really nasty ones.

Why not start a new thread specifically about snakes and see what other BE's have to say? And google is your friend. Good Luck.

I know I sound unbelievable but thats why I said my phobia is problematic. And its not just snakes but everything that crawls. Because snakes can be venomous, I am very particularly AFRAID of them. And you won't believe I am a physician but that is my great great weakness.

I have been looking at starting a new thread but can;t seem to be able to do that. Any directions? I am freaked out.

Try clicking on the discussion forum tab at the top of the page... then go to Australia and maybe click on The Barbie which is a good place for Aussie chat... then you'll see a "new thread" box near the top of the page... click on that and away you (should be able to) go.

Please please please. I sincerely need people to comment on this. I am good to relocate to Australia but just learnt there are lots of snakes there. I have a HUGE phobia for snakes. I am wondering how often they are seen. Do they enter houses or cars? Is there anything that can keep them away? Like a repellant? Please comment. I am totally freaked out.

Thanks a lot brissbee. I got it.

I'll cheat a bit by copying my first reply to you: Hello and welcome to the forum.

"Are there snakes in Australia?" - There are approximately 142 species of snake in Australia, a figure that’s split between land-based and sea-based snakes.

Encounters between snakes and humans are rare. Most deaths occur when humans decide to play with them.

I've been here 6 years and have never seen a snake. I live in a rather remote area which is surrounded by bush land and farm land. Snakes are unlikely in the city but possible.

The expression, "snake in the grass" comes from the fact that they like long grass. Most people here keep their grass cut very short (including the ferals, which is a bonus). The Eastern Brown and the Tiger snake which are both deadly live around here in large numbers but they don't actually set out in the morning to put humans on the menu. If left alone and if the rivers retain some water, they tend to stay put.

I can't remember seeing any posts / threads on here about problems with snakes.

I live in the south, more northerly areas may have a bigger problem.

Enjoy B.E.

They don't cause problems for most people.

Like most wild animals they prefer to stay away from humans as much as possible although where housing estates and development is encroaching into grassland and wetlands on the rural/urban fringes they are becoming more of an issue.

I've never personally heard of anyone getting bitten. There are probably only a few cases of snake bite a year tbh.