Some snakes such as eastern brown snakes are active during the day, others prefer to hunt in the evening, while some species are more active at night during the hotter months.
Australia's snake season generally hits between September and April as they start to venture out looking for food or a mate, but this can be brought forward if the end of winter and start of spring are unseasonably warm.
Small-eyed snake (Cryptophis nigrescens)
Also called the eastern small-eyed snake. This snake lives in wooded areas, where is hunts small reptiles or frogs at night. The body is slender and usually black or greyish brown. The average length is around 0.5m, with a maximum of 1.2m.
Brown Tree Snakes, which are also a coppery colour, usually hunt at night, often climb trees, and have a slender neck with a distinct head. Like most other snakes, the Eastern Brown will avoid a confrontation with a large animal such as a person, fleeing rapidly towards shelter instead.
Snakes are at their most active when it's cool out. They move around most in the early morning and around dusk.
Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.
Avoid wandering around in the dark. If you are out at night, always use a flashlight, because most snakes are active on warm nights. Never try to pick up a snake, even if it is dead. A snake's reflexes can still cause the snake to strike up to an hour after it has died.
It's rare for Australian snakes to strike. It's even more uncommon for the fangs to penetrate clothing and the skin.
They are usually active during the day, but can be active at night during very hot weather.
Do Dogs Keep Snakes Away? Yes, big dogs especially can be a deterrent to snakes. They bark loudly and are much larger than snakes, so they will typically choose to stay away.
"Including the brown, tiger, black, taipan, death adder and certain sea snakes and all these snakes are found in Queensland," Mr Farry said. "Most Australian snake bites are associated with minimal local pain and bite marks can be easily missed."
Snakes can be found all over Australia, not only in the Outback. However, you will hardly see them. On all my trips I only saw a few snakes and I nearly stepped on one when I was walking along the Eyre Highway, see the picture above (at least I thought it was a snake at that time). But this won't happen every day.
South Australia
Sand dunes are common breeding grounds for snakes of this region. Most of the venomous tend to be in this area. This is because it receives large amounts of sun but at the same time allows for enough cover for protection.
In Australia, snakes sometimes slither into suburban backyards and homes. When the weather gets warm, they lounge in the sun. When it gets hot, they seek cool places: a wall crevice, under a refrigerator, under a barbecue grill, behind an air-conditioning unit.
Leave it alone. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them be. If you see a snake inside your home, get all people and pets out of the room immediately. Shut the door and fill the gap underneath with a towel, then call a professional snake catcher for assistance.
"A snake may burrow into bedding to seek warmth. If you have a vent under or near your bed, snakes will likely hide there for warmth and to feel safe." And since snakes are such skilled hiders, the first sign that one is cozying up under your bed may come from your ears tipping you off that they're hiding out.
"Essentially the answer is anywhere that the snake can fit its body is where it can be." He said they'll usually go to warm places low to the ground, so you're not likely to find one in your bed or bathtub.
Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.
Tips to stay safe around snakes
Snakes respond to movement more than vibrations. Stomping your feet won't scare them away. If you see your animal playing with a snake, assume it has been bitten and take your pet to a vet.
The Eastern brown snake is responsible for around 60% of deaths caused by snakebite in Australia.
Avoid nighttime trail running.
Snakes also hunt at night. Their heat sensors allow them to detect pray unseen this way. You don't want to step in between a snake and its dinner. However, if you must run at night, run with both a buddy and a headlamp.
Snakes will go into hiding as early as September or as late as December depending on which part of the country you live in. Depending on where they are, snakes will either hibernate or brumate. Hibernation occurs when snakes enter a deep sleep state, usually in colder snowy climates.