Mead keeps students safe from snakes.

by Ryan Daniels

May 1, 2008

A snake slithering around Murdoch University, between the food hall and education buildings on April 25 caused warning signs to be erected by university security.

But there was no need for panic, because, for the last 30 years, Murdoch has had its own live-in snake catcher.

Derek Mead is available during office hours to tend to any snake related issues. 

The snake in question last week was only one-and-a-half foot long, said Mr Mead, and posed no real threat to students. However, he warned the Dugite was far from the first snake found on campus, and snakes can be dangerous.

“The most dangerous time of the year is around Spring, when the adult snakes are loaded with venom,” Mr Mead said. “They have mouths full of thick saliva.

“The majority of snakes on the campus are Dugites or Tiger snakes [both highly venomous]. In all my 30 years I have only seen one or two snakes that aren’t of those species.”

Armed with his trusty snake snaring stick, and a bag, Mr Mead keeps students out of harm’s way, most of them oblivious to the work he’s doing for their protection.

Luke Williams, a third year student at Murdoch was unaware the uni had its own serpent snarer.

“No, I didn’t realise we had a snake catcher,” Mr Williams said. “Now I feel safer, re-assured that we won’t get attacked and it feels good to know we have someone protecting us.”

Mr Mead has a clean record too. In his 30 years at the uni, not one student has been fanged by a snake.

The snake catcher has noted a steady decline over the years in the number of snake reports, due he thinks to the expansion of buildings at the university.

“It’s not a big problem now,” Mr Mead said. “We are pretty much surrounded by buildings and I have hardly seen an adolescent snake on campus in years.”