THE discovery of a metre-long lowland copperhead snake resting under a rock at a local primary school caused a minor disturbance as the professionals were called in to gently coax the snake to a safer home.
For local snake catcher Kev Girstun, it was just another day at the office.
“The copperhead was living under a rock at the back of the school,” said Kev.
Teachers at the school called Kev as soon as they saw the snake. Kev immediately attended and, within an hour, found the copperhead with a remote camera.
“A bit like an endoscopy camera,” said Kev.
Returning to the school the next morning, Kev quickly located the snake again and jacked up the rock with the snake under it using a car trolley jack.
Using a snake-handling hook, the highly venomous copperhead was gently removed and relocated before the children had even arrived at school.
“It was under the rock where the children sit and have lunch,” said Kev nonchalantly.
Snakes start waking up at this time of year after their winter hibernation.
“They get active when the sun comes out.”
Mice, rats, skinks, baby birds and frogs can all attract hungry snakes.
“The school had lots of skinks in the rocks,” said Kev.
“The snake had a very happy home and was very well fed.”
Kev’s advice, if you see a snake, is not to corner it.
“Don’t make any sudden movement towards it and call a professional.”
Snake catching takes Kev from Grantville, Phillip Island and the Bass Coast to South Gippsland, as far as Yarram and Port Welshpool.
“They can pop up anywhere,” said Kev
Tiger snakes can be found north of Wonthaggi, but the most common snake on the Bass Coast is the lowlands copperhead.
“The copperhead is as dangerously venomous as the tiger snake.”
First aid for a snake bite starts with a compression bandage.
“Keep calm and immobilise yourself,” advised Kev.
“Call Triple Zero to seek medical assistance and limit any movement as you wait for paramedics. Try to identify the snake if possible.”
Kev has also been called to remove two snakes from a home in Wonthaggi in recent weeks.
“They were living under the front steps of the house.”
Snakes can be found under sheets of tin or pieces of timber.
Snake Catching by Kev offers property checks for schools and businesses.
“Low-maintenance gardens look great, but they can attract skinks and snakes.”
Native animals have been a lifelong passion for Kev since he was three years old.
“I had a fascination with Australian reptiles and wildlife.
“Loved blue tongues, lizards, goannas and snakes.”
After a career in security and then sales, Kev has now decided to become a full-time snake catcher.
“I enjoy knowing I’ve moved a snake and saved its life, and the life of a person or pet perhaps.”
Once caught, snakes are required to be relocated immediately to crown land after first making sure the snake is healthy and unhurt.
Snake sightings are common from October, over summer and into April.
“Snakes have no interest in biting us,” said Kev reassuringly.
“Don’t attack it, snakes are defensive, keep an eye on the snake from a distance and try to find out where it may be located until the snake catcher arrives.”
Kev Girstun is a professionally trained, government-registered and fully insured Snake Catcher proudly servicing the Bass Coast and South West Gippsland areas. Phone Kev on 0422 267 151 or go to snakecatchingbykev.com.au (website under construction).
