Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Red Bellied Black Snake

Possum spotted and heard the juvenile at our front step on Sunday. It then disappeared under the house. It was spotted again sunning itself on the north side of the house. I've just read from Australia's Most Dangerous (by Australian Geographic) that these snakes give birth to about 12 live young in autumn (and other times of the year), but no recorded deaths have been made due to their bite - phew!

Steve Irwin's DVD's have made our children particularly fond of snakes, and they can't comprehend the danger one can bring.They think of them as beautiful! I could never think of them as beautiful!

We have just read a great story from the book The Best of Henry Lawson For Young Australians, called The Drover's Wife. She spent a sleepless night beside her kitchen table, whilst the two boys and two girls - mere babies sleep on top. Thankfully by morning they spot the snake, and their dog Alligator manages to crush the five foot long serpent on the head. A great read which all the children loved.

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