I really enjoy getting out and seeing and meeting our lovely country places and people and of course their dogs. What a job! Apart from being David Attenborough's replacement/sidekick (world's best job) I can't really think of much else I would rather be doing than doing what I do.

Anyway enough of me gushing, a few animally stories below, enjoy.

Angus is an English springer spaniel and the first Canadian bacteria hunter at Vancouver General Hospital. He is more precise and quicker at finding the 'super bug' than people with UV lighting and once detected a specialist team can get on with a thorough cleaning to try and eradicate the nasty bug. I just love the very varied ways that dogs and their noses are used to help mankind, from finding truffles or drugs or bombs and even bacteria.

An interesting call out, one that was easy to catch.

The snake was spotted in a back yard of a house in Padbury. A young teenage boy was left to stand by to watch while a parent went to make the call. While the teenager was watching the spot where the snake was last seen a rat ran past and started to run up the wall. The boy got to witness the snake strike out with the dugite lunging half way up the wall at the rat. It then refused to let the rat go whilst being captured by Alan.

The photo is of the release in Pinneroo. "I made sure he was well covered in leaves to ensure he could finish his meal in peace" said Alan.

Luckily for us Australian scorpions do not have venom that is lethal to humans. If they sting it may hurt and burn for some time or feel little more like a bee sting – it depends on the species and the amount injected. Fortunately for us many scorpions hunt and eat spiders – so they are useful – if that's the right word.

All scorpions fluoresce under UV light – no one knows why. They cannot see this amazing fluorescence phenomenon themselves; it may be to lure in insects attracted to flowers (many flowers fluoresce), to ward off predators or to protect their exoskeletons from the sun – no one really knows.

Scorpions in general are well, very odd creatures – they were the very first predator to crawl out of the oceans onto the land some 430 million years ago. Some land based ones were once as large as a dog. Gestation can take up to 18 months, the live born young, called scorplings, gather on the females back until at least their first moult when they become independent.

However if you book now, pay now for any date in 2017 you will still get the discounted price of $175- inc GST. So if you are interested book now and maybe let your friends know. Refresher training is $85 inc GST

Discount offer ends April 1st 2017.

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Most just don't get far – Kookaburras, other birds, lizards, foxes, cats, hawks and owls are amongst the predators that get most of them. Many however still end up in our homes, gardens and workplace.

Despite their size they are quick and potentially deadly – so do not take chances with them. If you are capable, and willing, use thick gloves and a brush or similar to sweep them into a bin or box for relocating. Not whilst wearing thongs! Sturdy footwear essential – I know they are tiny but still very dangerous.

Alternatively call a reptile relocator or pest control company, or if near Duncraig you can call me.

We do have a suburb by suburb list of snake removalists on our website. See here for link http://animalark.com.au/pdfs/snake_removalists_list.pdf

Conservation, care and wildlife awareness for all ages, whilst offering hands on experience with some amazing native creatures.

Visit our website, email us on nar@animalark.com.au or call for more information or to book.

Raven numbers have grown considerably as they exploit urban surroundings (they just love our rubbish). They are expert at pulling trash from wheelie bins and foraging at roadsides and picnic areas.

A pair of Australian Ravens has a single brood a year. Both sexes share the building of a rather untidy nest consisting of sticks, bark, feathers and grasses. Shaped into a platform or bowl the female lays and incubates 3-6 eggs. Both sexes will care for and feed the young birds. Breeding commences from about 3 years of age and average wild life span is a further 3 to 4 years. One lucky adult 3+ years old was banded and re-caught over 12 years later. In captivity they can live around 22 years.

In some areas of WA they are a declared agricultural pest species.

A flock of 'crows' is called a murder. A group of Ravens is called an unkindness.

Noongar beliefs have it that these birds helped carry the spirits of the dead across the sea to an idyllic location called Kurannup located over the horizon beyond both Rottnest and Garden islands.