"Snakes . . . I hate snakes."

[RTK]

"Snakes . . . I hate snakes." (Indiana Jones)

How significant of a concern are snakes on the Overland Track (I will be on it in mid-March) and what are recommended approaches to minimizing the risk/harm? Thanks

[walkon]

The only time snakes have ever been an issue is when I was in stealth mode. You will have a pack on and the noise that you make(vibrations from walking) will scare the snakes away. If you see one generally they will be off away. They are more scared of you, well even if they aren't snakes don't want to be in your company so will take off. Don't corner a snake so it can't get away, if you do just back up and give the snake some room to go.

Really all you have to watch out for are punters riding kangaroos, knock you over without a thought........ jokes, just kidding on that one

[walkerchris77]

Had a kamikaze wombat try to knock me off my feet once. Scared the crap out of me.
And snakes same as what walkon said.

And dont step over logs unless u can see whats on the other side.

[RTK]

Are gaiters optional? required? advisable? - for dealing with snakes? - otherwise?

[DanShell]

Are gaiters optional? required? advisable? - for dealing with snakes? - otherwise?

My primary reason for wearing them in the bush is for a bit of protection from snakes. But in my experience its not the snakes on the ground thats a problem its the ones in the tree's that bother me, especially when you have no choice but to walk under them!

[MartyGwynne]

RTK just wear gaiters and totally enjoy the walk.
I have only seen a few snakes on the OLT and all have moved on quickly.
On this track most of it is board walk which alerts any snakes on it of your approach and they move away fairly quickly.
You would only be in danger of them if you got to within reach of them by your hand. It is very rare for snakes to bite anyone unless you want to touch or kick them. (OK I have stepped on many - mainly off track areas - they have all moved on away from me, quickly)
Also of interest it is easy to identify which of the 3 snakes are venomous in Tassie. All of them are

I would recommend you (and your party) to wear gaiters most of the time to protect you from the wind rain hail snow elements snakes underbrush etc anyway.
Or follow a party of at least three people all of the time as they would most likely see or scare any snakes away. But not always sometimes I am last one in our group to walk along and see snakes just on the side of the track. Once my little Jack Russell Terrier stepped on a snakes head after two others walked past it, I just stepped to one side of it and kept on my way.
Marty.

[walkon]

Are gaiters optional? required? advisable? - for dealing with snakes? - otherwise?

I always wear gaiters, I didn't think that I wore them for snakes until I took a short cut sliding down off a rock and woke one up at the bottom. I love my gaiters for keeping stones, sand and helps stop getting scratched. Saves your socks taking a beating as well. Remember gaiters aren't a snake bite proof item, though they will help in most cases. You will love the OT.

Did anyone else mention to watch out for the Tasmanian tiger, noone who has met one for the last few decades has come back to tell the tale.

[RTK]

Thanks for all these replies. I must sound like the uninitiated Yank that I am. Now I need to worry about the Tasmanian tiger too! When you come to Virginia to do the AT, I'll run ahead on snake patrol for each of you. No tigers, but BigFoot has settled down in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you've got that to look forward to as well.

BTW - did I tell you, i hate snakes.

[eggs]

Dear uninitiated Yank - Beware of Aussie humour.
The reason noone who has met one in the last few decades has come back alive is that noone has actually met one.
They are presumed extinct.

I met some European tourists up near Alice Springs. They had been really scared of Australia thinking there would be snakes everywhere.
It was mid winter at the time and it is really a bit cold at that time of year for snakes to be active, even in the middle of the deserts.
It appears Australia has a bit of a reputation of a place crawling with deadly creatures - viz snakes, spiders, sharks and crocodiles..
You need to respect the Aussie snake, but it will be a rare encounter, and even rarer to have to do anything drastic by way of response.
I think my best advice would be, if the weather is warm to hot take special care when climbing over logs.

[walkon]

Good on ya EGGS I was thinking of letting him know about the drop bears as well but now you have ruined all my fun.

Rtk don't forget to look in the tasmania section, the overland track (OT)has its own forum thread. Lots of useful information there on everything OT related. Just search for your question and if you can't find it ask away. Lots of people willing to offer advice here. You'll be in good hands.

I kinda guessed you had a snake phobia.

Ps let's face it even when the tasmania Tiger was alive, it was pretty crappy as far as tigers go. Just looked as though someone painted stripes on a dog. Still it would have been good to see it.

[wander]

Snakes are good and wonderful.

Just do not step on them. Unless you fell a little down on adrenalin.

Dang the buggers are fast. Lucky their eyesight is lousy.

[dplanet]

+1

[Eljimberino]

If you are lucky enough to see a snake, be sure to admire their beauty; wonderful creatures.

[RonK]

It's them hoop snakes you have to be wary off - once they get rolling they're so fast there is no escape...if you see a snake with its tail in its mouth get outta there fast.

Last edited by RonK on Fri 22 Aug, 2014 12:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[walkon]

It's them hoop snakes you have to be wary off - once they get rolling they're so fast there is no escape...if you see a snake with it's tail in it's mouth get outta there fast.

Careful cause those hoopies are in cahoots with drop bears. You run from one then BAMM a bear has dropped out of a tree and got you

[wander]

chuckle chuckle chuckle

[phsculpture]

If you are lucky enough to see a snake, be sure to admire their beauty; wonderful creatures.

Exactly. I'm always hoping to see one.

At least you don't have to deal with bears here. I saw an emboldened NJ black bear snatch a friend's yapping schnauzer from his back yard. And they're meant to be the benign variety. I couldn't even contemplate camping in grizzly territory. Crocs are level with brown bears on the 'fraidy-cat scale' for me. But not snakes.

[Picaro]

I can be a bit inattentive while walking, and be looking off into the scenery, when someone with me will give an exclamation because I've just stepped over a snake. Three times that I'm aware of.....I guess they weren't hungry.

[Avid Hiker38]

Walk with heavy steps, keep an eye out, keep to the track and wear over the ankle boots + gaiters and you should be fine

[corvus]

If you are lucky to come across a Tassie Tiger Snake (check out the old Toilet site at Ki Ora ) and you really *&^%$#! it off it will up and "bark"at you as a warning well b4 you get a strike and not all of those would envenomate you in any case so just enjoy your walk

[dplanet]

Walk with heavy steps, keep an eye out, keep to the track and wear over the ankle boots + gaiters and you should be fine

Keep to the track? Not sure about it. About two tigers held me up about 10 minutes on a forest road in The Tarkine.

[Walking_addict]

Sing LOUDLY, if nothing else it may amuse other walkers
A Yank ?
Ooh, someone better explain drop bears !

[north-north-west]

.....I guess they weren't hungry.

There is no such thing as an Australian snake big enough to consider you a viable meal.

[corvus]

Walk with heavy steps, keep an eye out, keep to the track and wear over the ankle boots + gaiters and you should be fine

Keep to the track? Not sure about it. About two tigers held me up about 10 minutes on a forest road in The Tarkine.

10 mins what exactly were those Tigers doing !! most I see are basking in the Sun or heading away from me as they are a generally timid and will threaten with a "bark" and a lunge before a bite ,just don't stand on one
corvus

[eggs]

While it is rare, I know when I was at the mine at Renison Bell that the geologists on field survey were stopped by a tiger snake in breeding season.
They were working along tight lines cut in the scrub.
When they couldn't budge it from the path ahead they gave up and went home for the day.

So yes - sometimes it might be worth going around if you can.

[north-north-west]

Yeah, I've had them refuse to budge despite both patience and deliberate (gentle) efforts to move them on. If they don't bolt almost straight away, going around is usually easier.

[corvus]

Never had one refuse to budge have had one "bark"at me in my 40 + years of walking in Aus and most I met were heading elsewhere ,have had Lippies Skitter over my Boots and had a Copperhead in my backyard last Summer.

[icefest]

.....I guess they weren't hungry.

There is no such thing as an Australian snake big enough to consider you a viable meal.

Crocodiles on the other hand...

[Picaro]

.....I guess they weren't hungry.

There is no such thing as an Australian snake big enough to consider you a viable meal.

Depends on how much time they have to spare. .

[flyfisher]

Don't forget the foxes too, they are everywhere.

ff