I got quite a surprise today when outside to see if the possum was home (in her hidey hole under the deck just outside the front door). A rather large (well, about a metre, which is large enough) snake on the rocky garden bed spotted me before I spotted it, and shot off at high speed in front of my feet into the bushes. Snakes going past me at a distance of 50 cm or less is too close for comfort, no matter what species they are.
The good thing, I suppose, is that although it was out of sight very quickly, I did at least get to see that it was pretty much a uniform olive green colour, and looking at this website, I would be inclined to think it was a common green tree snake, which is non venomous. Most of the dangerous snakes seem to have some pattern or banding on them, although the potentially dangerous yellow-faced whip snake seems devoid of pattern too. In fact, now that I look at this other site, the whip snake seems a distinct possibility. I mean, do green tree snakes end up on the ground very often?
Despite living in this house for about 8 years now, with rather large bushes and trees in the front, and bushy neighbours’ gardens, as well as rats in the roof and (sometimes) seen in the back yard, this is the first snake of any kind I’ve ever encountered. I’m sure they must be around, but out of sight out of mind is the best policy as far as snakes are concerned.
As for spiders, this one was sitting prominently in the sun this afternoon, and stayed still for a close up with my cheapish camera.
The body colours remind me a bit of the patterns of Jupiter. (Just a little.):
It would appear to be a female St Andrews Cross spider. Now you know.
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