Neil Hurst and his wife Jane were fortunate enough to discover an Eastern Brown Snake, Pseudonaja textilis, cannibalising an unfortunate member of its species on their property in South East Australia. This is not unheard of; there is a preserved Eastern Brown Snake specimen at the CSIRO Australian National Wildlife Collection with a cannibalised snake in its stomach. It is nonetheless a very rare event! Neil had the following to say:

“My wife Jane and I plus our Dalmatian dogs live on the western escarpment overlooking the Hoskinstown Plain south of Bungendore. Since we bought the property nearly 30 years ago we have come to accept, perhaps somewhat reluctantly, that we would have to share with the local wildlife; snakes included. Jane even trod on one when getting out of the car in the carport soon after we arrived, although the snake fled as fast as she did. The snakes and us have had our moments, including one evening finding one hiding behind the TV in the corner of the lounge. Wildcare (02 6299 1966) are a not-for-profit service that do injured wildlife rescues, including snake removal, and were able to collect that one while Jane stayed on top of the dining table. Our Dalmatians have had a few encounters – almost always ending badly for the snake.

One day our youngest dally by the name of Rose gave us indications of the presence of a pair of snakes by propping and pointing at them while we were walking back from the home paddock gate early one morning. The snakes were about 2.5 metres away on the other side of the rabbit proof fence which surrounds our house. At first I couldn't quite make them out because they were coiled around each other but quite still. Eventually the snakes and I got fed up with watching each other. I called for Jane to bring the camera while the larger of the brown snakes, having decided I didn't want to share his/her breakfast, re-commenced eating. Rose continued to point at the snakes quivering from head to tail. Attached are the photographs I took while I watched the eating process.  Eventually the large brown snake moved away to the west quite quickly, glancing back occasionally, possibly to ensure he/she wasn't being followed.”

Photos and a short video of the incident are available below:

ACTHA's industrious Newsletter Editor has prepared the June - July 2010 Newsletter.

In this issue

• ACTHA presents a cheque to the Australian National Botanic Gardens
• The value of surveys and putting dots on maps
• David Attenborough on snakes
• Rising temperatures drive lizards to extinction
• Burrowing into ACTHA’s past: 1986

Attachments:

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ACTHA Newsletter June - July 2010	957 Kb

an urgent call for help

The turtles of the Lower Lakes and Coorong in South Australia desperately need your help.

Click on 'Read More' to learn more about the issue, find out how you can help and see a video outlining the problems.

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ACTHA's industrious Newsletter Editor has prepared the April - May 2010 Newsletter.

In this issue

• ACTHA fieldtrip to Nimmitabel
• Conservation Biology of the Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla)
• Molonglo biodiversity issues and the Pink‐tailed Worm‐lizard
• ACTHA displays at the Tidbinbilla Extravaganza and the Hawker Primary School Fete
• Venomous snakes are best left alone
• The Yellow‐spotted Bell Frog, thought extinct, has been found!
• Corroboree Frog breeding facility update
• Burrowing into ACTHA’s past: The first year
• Brown snake has a water dragon for lunch at the Australian National Botanic Gardens

Attachments:

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ACTHA Newsletter April - May 2010	998 Kb