HOT conditions in the North of the state are sure to send snakes slithering for shade and male spiders out in search of potential mates, zoologist Simon Fearn said yesterday. Launceston and surrounding areas are experiencing a string of warm days this week, with temperatures topping 30 degrees. Mr Fearn said people were not likely to see snakes out in the open during these extreme conditions. ``Myths about only ever seeing snakes out on hot days are simply not true,'' he said. ``Snakes are much more likely to be in the shade, out of the heat under grass or logs.'' Mr Fearn said snakes were incredibly good at conserving water, and they did not get thirsty to the same extent as mammals. ``It's extremely rare for snakes to be so thirsty they seek out a bowl of water in somebody's back yard,'' he said. ``Snakes only tend to come out early in the morning and late in the evening in conditions like this. But if you're walking around in a rural area at night, make sure you've got something on your feet and a torch in hand.'' Mr Fearn said spiders - in particular males - were extremely active during summer. ``Male wolf spiders and funnel-web spiders tend to wander around looking for female spiders on hot nights,'' he said. But bites are extremely rare. ``Try not to leave your clothes on the floor, shake your boots out before you shove your feet in them, and you should be all right,'' Mr Fearn said.
HOT conditions in the North of the state are sure to send snakes slithering for shade and male spiders out in search of potential mates, zoologist Simon Fearn said yesterday.
Launceston and surrounding areas are experiencing a string of warm days this week, with temperatures topping 30 degrees.
Mr Fearn said people were not likely to see snakes out in the open during these extreme conditions.
``Myths about only ever seeing snakes out on hot days are simply not true,'' he said.
``Snakes are much more likely to be in the shade, out of the heat under grass or logs.''
Mr Fearn said snakes were incredibly good at conserving water, and they did not get thirsty to the same extent as mammals.
``It's extremely rare for snakes to be so thirsty they seek out a bowl of water in somebody's back yard,'' he said.
``Snakes only tend to come out early in the morning and late in the evening in conditions like this. But if you're walking around in a rural area at night, make sure you've got something on your feet and a torch in hand.''
Mr Fearn said spiders - in particular males - were extremely active during summer.
``Male wolf spiders and funnel-web spiders tend to wander around looking for female spiders on hot nights,'' he said.
But bites are extremely rare.
``Try not to leave your clothes on the floor, shake your boots out before you shove your feet in them, and you should be all right,'' Mr Fearn said.
