Goanna or python?

[CookieChookie]

Got home this arvo to find the 3 wooden eggs missing from the hen house. Could of been a goanna but as there wasn’t much of a disturbance in the wood shavings leading up to the laying boxes I’m thinking snake. Am I correct in thinking the snake will die from eating wooden eggs? And if it was in fact a goanna, would the goanna also die?

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

I think Snakes are able to regurgitate things that don't sit right in their tummys. I could be wrong, but I know they can regurgitate. Is there any trail of any sort? My other thought is some pesky crows

 

[CookieChookie]

There was one big curved “swish” leading up to the laying boxes. The wooden eggs are solid and fairly heavy and whatever it was took all 3 from 3 separate laying boxes. All signs seem to lead to python. I’m kinda hoping the python doesn’t survive or it may come back for the chickens

 

[Quailobsessed]

Do you find snakes in your area? Or goannas? I know snakes are found practically everywhere in Australia so it's more likely a snake, unless you get goannas near you. Research what you can about snakes in your area to get an idea on size and likelihood to attack a chicken so if you have a snake hanging around you are prepared.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Also, I'm pretty sure snakes, being native animals are protected and you can't kill them. It's different if it dies from eating the fake eggs but just letting you know if it becomes a problem you have to deal with. It would be the same with goannas.

 

[CookieChookie]

Do you find snakes in your area? Or goannas? I know snakes are found practically everywhere in Australia so it's more likely a snake, unless you get goannas near you. Research what you can about snakes in your area to get an idea on size and likelihood to attack a chicken so if you have a snake hanging around you are prepared.

I have lots of snakes here, venomous and non-venomous as well as goanna. I phoned Australia Zoo and they said the snake would probably die unless a vet intervened. Thinking it wouldn’t go too far with a bellyful of wooden eggs, I searched all the hiding spots around the house, chook pen and shed but no luck. It must have gone back into the bush. There’s bush all around me but there’s no way I’m going to search it and risk getting bitten by a taipan. I’d be dead before an ambulance got to me. I’ve been sitting on back veranda almost all day watching the chook pen but so far nothing has cone back for more eggs. I’ve left one real egg in the hen house as bait.

 

[CookieChookie]

Also, I'm pretty sure snakes, being native animals are protected and you can't kill them. It's different if it dies from eating the fake eggs but just letting you know if it becomes a problem you have to deal with. It would be the same with goannas.

And yes I’m aware I’m not allowed to kill snakes. I don’t think I could anyway. I’ve had to pay $$$ in the past to call certified snake catchers to come out and remove poisonous snakes.

 

[cmom]

I don't live in Australia but a neighbor was loosing her birds. It ended up being a python under her porch. Apparently someone decided they didn't want it any more and dropped it off. We are rural so now and then we get people's releases. They catch and since we are on a dead end road they release here in our area and give us their problems. A wildlife officer did locate and remove the snake from her property.

 

[cmom]

Do you have a game camera you could put up then you will probably discover where the wooden eggs are going.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

So far I've only been seeing goannas about this season... I'm very concerned that I am yet to see a snake. The snakes on this farm are as old as the land itself so I know they are out there... but where are they hiding?