B N V's

[Aargent]

We live on the outskirts of a Village, and our neighbor's dog was bitten by a B N V a few days ago, making a slow recovery, now as we also have a dog I have read up a lot about B N V's but have not found out an answer to my question. Do B N V's establish a territory and defend it or does their search for food mean that they are constantly on the move, in other words is it still here ? It was in a recently rotavated Almond orchard it was not hiding, but very difficult to see, there is no water about, except, maybe, at the nearby houses, pools etc. I did read that they are 'Ambush' type snakes and tend not to move away when they detect something nearby, as most snakes would. Any information would be gratefully received.

[ApusApus]

We live on the outskirts of a Village, and our neighbor's dog was bitten by a B N V a few days ago, making a slow recovery, now as we also have a dog I have read up a lot about B N V's but have not found out an answer to my question. Do B N V's establish a territory and defend it or does their search for food mean that they are constantly on the move, in other words is it still here ? It was in a recently rotavated Almond orchard it was not hiding, but very difficult to see, there is no water about, except, maybe, at the nearby houses, pools etc. I did read that they are 'Ambush' type snakes and tend not to move away when they detect something nearby, as most snakes would. Any information would be gratefully received.

I cannot answer your first question but your other statements are correct. The only thing I would add is that the venom is slow-acting so usually there is usually adequate time to get medical help!


Shane

[bmwx5]

The BNV stays mainly in the same location if there is an ample source of food ie rats,lizards, frogs and small birds. Not sure it establishes a territory as such but I remember the sighting of a BNV on several occasions near to a pond pump house till it was killed by the green staff.
As you say it stays motionless and uses ambush as opposed to hunting its prey. Which is why they can be approached closer and nearer than other types of snake which will flee when detecting the presence of humans or animals.
Found in all types of terrain even inhabited areas but prefers to be near water such as streams, creeks, ponds and of course swimming pools and pump houses.
They not only wait on the ground they also can climb trees shrubs and bushes in wait for its prey.

[cyprusmax47]

We live on the outskirts of a Village, and our neighbor's dog was bitten by a B N V a few days ago, making a slow recovery, now as we also have a dog I have read up a lot about B N V's but have not found out an answer to my question. Do B N V's establish a territory and defend it or does their search for food mean that they are constantly on the move, in other words is it still here ? It was in a recently rotavated Almond orchard it was not hiding, but very difficult to see, there is no water about, except, maybe, at the nearby houses, pools etc. I did read that they are 'Ambush' type snakes and tend not to move away when they detect something nearby, as most snakes would. Any information would be gratefully received.

From my own experience "hunting" BNV's with Snake George I know that you can always find them near large caper bushes where they feed on lizards or near water where they are after birds as well. Vipers forced out of their natural habitat by competing land uses seek refuge in areas less suitable for venomous snakes; low-lying plants surrounding swimming pools, in orchards, vineyards and other areas attracting rats. The snakes soon follow. So if the orchard was just done by a rotavator the snake was looking for a new hiding place. But BNV's like all snakes move away if they feel vibration on the ground and are not cornered because THEN they attack. If you have your dog on a lead close to you and you are unsure about the area you walk you just stamp with your feet when you walking. I use always a stick when I walk my dog. The dog of your neighbour was perhaps not bitten from a BNV as he would not survived but from a Montpellier. Last year I nearly stepped on a huge BNV which was in some high weeds hunting lizards but I was alert from the warning shouts of little birds around which indicates normally a cat... or a snake.
Max