Snakes in Winter

Carpet Python- Bert

Snakes hibernate in Winter, right? Well, not really. When the weather becomes cold in Winter snakes tend to become inactive which leads to a slowing down of their metabolism and bodily processes. The technical term to describe this is known as Brumation. Snakes will tend to react to any heat source and be active again. For example, they will remain active all year when kept in captivity with an artificial heat source. In Australia, especially along the milder east coast, snakes can be sometimes seen over mid Winter should the temperature become unseasonably
warm on any given day.







Sandra and I have observed two snakes over the last week in our garden, despite it only being early July.  A fine 2-metre long carpet python we named Bert! - we think Bert is the same snake we see quite often over the warmer months. Also yesterday, and again today, we came across a cute (20cm long and as thin as your little finger) baby Green Tree Snake.

Young Green Tree Snake

Some argue that snake sightings out of season are more common owing to the Global Warming process. Maybe we are just becoming more observant when it comes to the life in our gardens? Anyone else out there noticing the unexpected in your patch?

Small Bolwarra - One for the plant enthusiasts

Small Bolwarra

This rare rainforest plant flowers for less than a day, and not every year - just a single flower, delicately scented - we feel lucky to have seen it!

Nana Tree Flowers for the First Time

Planted in our garden to honour Zenta Frismanis, who passed away in September 2011, at the age of 99, this small tree is commonly known as Little Kurrajong (Brachychiton bidwillii). This small tree or shrub is native to South East QLD. Prior to flowering, it drops all it's leaves, and the flowers form on the stems, and even on the trunk. We think it looks a lot like a fruit tree. It's related to the more famous, and much larger Flame Tree. This is after one year in the ground. Each new year, the flowering should become better. Nana loved flowers, and I'm sure she would have loved this specimen planted in her honour.

Napoleon says the deck is his.

Igloo Inspector

Our big-daddy water dragon, Napoleon thought he would test out the new vegie patch 'igloo'. The igloo remains in-tact - it was not breached!

Yes, it is a green moth