We are still running regular days of Snake Avoidance for dogs, but less frequently in these cooler months, so do check out dates below and keep an eye on the online diary. Ultimately it is never a bad time to train or remind a dog that snake encounters are best avoided. Hope life is treating you well as we come into winter.

You would think with all this lockdown stuff going on I would have plenty of time to write these newsletters, but we have been so busy I just haven’t gotten around to it. I hope some of you subscribers do actually read them.

Tongues help us humans eat, talk and taste, and our tongue is pretty much covered in taste buds except in the middle where we have none at all. We even have some taste buds in the roof of our mouths and down our throat. Other creatures can use their tongues to catch and hold prey, suck, slurp, lure prey, groom, defence and much more. Some creatures like Echinoderms (sea stars and the like) have no tongue at all.

Visceral pentastomiasis are two words not to Google unless to want to read about tongue parasites that can be found in humans!!!!!!

Our best seller, a comprehensive snake catching/relocating kit. Hook, grabbers, bag and gaiters along with a special compression bandage and venomous snake stickers, all in a handy carry bag.

Prompt first aid is an essential part of dealing with any snakebite. These bandages, along with instructions, make applying compression to a victim’s limb simple - they are reassuringly effective. Should be kept in the car, shed, backpack or any other place where snakes may be encountered.

Barking geckos often congregate with several individuals being found together. They shelter under loose bark at the base of trees, litter and debris on the ground, amongst rocks, caves or under spinifex - so very adaptable to the varied habitats they can be found in. The barking gecko is one reptile that may still be commonly encountered on very cool nights. Like many geckos they are nocturnal predators feeding on small invertebrates, including creatures such as moths and crickets. The one pictured from Mahogany Creek was only discovered as it was sheltering under a cold wet towel that had dropped to the ground. As is typical this specimen, on being uncovered by me, raised itself off the ground, opened its mouth, and whilst flicking its tail it lunged forward and ‘barked’ at me. This defensive display no doubt intended to deter a potential predator. Sometimes they drop their tails too. Fortunately, this juvenile didn’t lose his tail after our meeting, but I was able to pick it up and place it in a more suitable spot. They are a widespread species and may occur from the west coast across the bottom half of the country to the eastern coast. Barking geckos may be found in parts of WA, NT, SA, VIC, NSW, ACT and QLD.

Breeding often commences from September onwards. Female barking geckos lay 2 soft shelled eggs per clutch and these take around 45-70 days to hatch. Females can lay several clutches a year under optimum conditions. Lifespan of 3-5 years seems typical for these small geckos.