Reptile remover Trevor Warburton and python Roxanne plead with drivers to be aware and slow down for wildlife

As the weather warms up, Albany’s reptiles get on the move and volunteer reptile remover Trevor Warburton gets busy.

He is usually asked to move and relocate poisonous snakes, but Mr Warburton, and his carpet python Roxanne, also want to remind people to watch out for less threatening reptiles on the road.

“I just want to make people aware that there are reptiles breeding and I just don’t want to see them squashed on the road,” he said.

“I think I see more dead on the roads than I ever see live in the bush.”

There are signs asking motorists to be aware of reptiles on Albany’s Golf Links Road near Lake Seppings and Mr Warburton said that was a great idea.

The snake-necked turtles which make their home at Lake Seppings dice with death between October and December every year when adult females migrate across the road to lay their eggs, and then migrate back with their hatchlings.

“Lake Seppings is totally surrounded by urban stuff, so the turtles don’t stand a chance,” Mr Warburton said.

“The signs are great to see; drivers should look out for long-necked turtles, bobtails and snakes.

“It has been a bitterly cold winter and now it is warming up they are laying eggs and starting to move about.

“They see the road as a big rock; they come out to warm up and suddenly . . . whack, they are hit by a car.

“I would just ask that drivers stay aware of wildlife and slow down — these creatures are totally innocent.”

Mr Warburton is kept busy, especially in the summer months, removing tiger snakes and dugites, both of which can be deadly.

He has owned Roxanne, who is properly cared for in a vivarium, for 24 years.

Carpet pythons do exist in the wild around Albany with Mr Warburton saying anyone who spots one is “lucky because they are very special”.

Carpet pythons are not venomous but have strong constricting ability and can bite.

Adults are not usually aggressive and will generally flee but babies are more likely to bite.