Snakes Alive
March 11th 2008 22:17
It's the time of year for them and I nearly stepped on a slitherer yesterday. I simply wasn’t looking where I was walking.
Luckily the snake knew I was coming (he wasn’t daydreaming about other things as I was) and moved away in the other direction before we made physical contact. I only spotted him because he moved. Needless to say, I was propelled backwards about a metre, but was then pinned to the spot for a short while I watched him slither off into the grass.
I was out enjoying a walk round the neighbourhood. I was on the road, not in long grass or anywhere that I would normally be keeping snakes in mind. It was a warm day and the snake must have thought it was a nice spot for a bit of sunbaking.
Strolling along, listening to my mp3 player, thinking about something – which, whatever it was, totally exited my mind in a nanosecond, never to return. The snake, which was black, shiny and about a metre long became the centre of attention for the rest of my walk.
I’m always concerned about the alpacas at this time of year, especially the crias who are so inquisitive and check out everything in the paddock. I try to keep the grass low as much as I can, but it is physically impossible to keep on top of it, especially down along the creek.
I don’t really have a problem with rodents, spiders, or most other creepy crawlies, probably because I come across them quite often and have just grown used to them. OK, if a huntsman drops onto my head or shoulder when I open the laundry door (as they do), I jump initially, but then I just take the thing outside. I don’t scream the place down or move out until the house is fumigated (as some people I know do).
But I guess, since I haven’t had many snake encounters, this close call has given me the jitters. I was about 3 km from home with no mobile. It got me thinking about what I would have done if I had trodden on the thing and copped a bite. I don’t generally carry rolls of bandages when I go for a ’walk around the block’.
It’s a narrow road and when cars come barrelling along, I often jump off the road onto the grass verge to get out of the way. The grass is long there and it’s precisely where the snake went to yesterday.
I tend to drift off into my thoughts when I’m out walking, so I guess in a way these scares are a good thing. They force you to live in the present a bit more and daydream a little less.
Luckily the snake knew I was coming (he wasn’t daydreaming about other things as I was) and moved away in the other direction before we made physical contact. I only spotted him because he moved. Needless to say, I was propelled backwards about a metre, but was then pinned to the spot for a short while I watched him slither off into the grass.
I was out enjoying a walk round the neighbourhood. I was on the road, not in long grass or anywhere that I would normally be keeping snakes in mind. It was a warm day and the snake must have thought it was a nice spot for a bit of sunbaking.
Strolling along, listening to my mp3 player, thinking about something – which, whatever it was, totally exited my mind in a nanosecond, never to return. The snake, which was black, shiny and about a metre long became the centre of attention for the rest of my walk.
I’m always concerned about the alpacas at this time of year, especially the crias who are so inquisitive and check out everything in the paddock. I try to keep the grass low as much as I can, but it is physically impossible to keep on top of it, especially down along the creek.
I don’t really have a problem with rodents, spiders, or most other creepy crawlies, probably because I come across them quite often and have just grown used to them. OK, if a huntsman drops onto my head or shoulder when I open the laundry door (as they do), I jump initially, but then I just take the thing outside. I don’t scream the place down or move out until the house is fumigated (as some people I know do).
But I guess, since I haven’t had many snake encounters, this close call has given me the jitters. I was about 3 km from home with no mobile. It got me thinking about what I would have done if I had trodden on the thing and copped a bite. I don’t generally carry rolls of bandages when I go for a ’walk around the block’.
It’s a narrow road and when cars come barrelling along, I often jump off the road onto the grass verge to get out of the way. The grass is long there and it’s precisely where the snake went to yesterday.
I tend to drift off into my thoughts when I’m out walking, so I guess in a way these scares are a good thing. They force you to live in the present a bit more and daydream a little less.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Like you, I'm as scared as Hell.
Well done,
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I think it was more the shock of being so close and my stupidity at not seeing the snake sooner.
I knew it wouldn't bite (unless I stepped on it - then I wouldn't blame it for defending itself).
I'm more likely to get hit by a car on that road though - I'm sure some people think it's a rally track.
- quite right about the earphones too.
Comment by AmyHuang
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Comment by Jill Browne
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And Tassie was wonderful! I would love to return.
Cheers,
jill
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I always stomp around when I'm bushwalking or in long grass, but it wasn't in my mind out on the road. Kids ride bikes and horses and play along the roads here. Thank goodness the snakes are ok about getting out of the way.
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I'm not used to them either, I think that's the problem. When you're used to things, you deal with them much better.
That said, I'm not inviting the opportunity to get used to more snakes.
Tassie is great - don't let the snakes put you off. I've probably only ever seen 4 or 5.