snakes in melbourne cbd Page 58

Yes, snakes do turn up in the Melbourne CBD on hot days—usually near the Yarra, parks, and rail corridors—because nature didn’t read the parking signs. Likely culprits are tiger snakes and eastern brown snakes, both venomous and both not interested in selfies. Give them space (several metres), keep dogs leashed, and do not try to move or kill the snake—illegal, dangerous, and frankly silly. If one’s inside a building or causing a hazard, call a licensed snake catcher or the non-emergency police line; for bites, apply pressure-immobilisation and dial 000. Sightings spike in warmer months and drop off in winter, but surprises happen. Consider it urban wildlife with fangs, and let the professionals earn their keep.