The removal of 43 eggs from a Camden Haven school sand pit has raised questions over whether they were laid by a snake.
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FAWNA volunteers identified the eggs as belonging to a eastern brown snake and carefully removed the eggs over a three day period in December, 2017.
When the article was published by the Camden Haven Courier questions were raised on social media about whether the eggs could in fact belong to another reptile such as a water dragon, turtle or lizard.
Sceptics on social media who questioned the shape and location of the eggs elicited a response from FAWNA’s president Meredith Ryan.
“The eggs were in a location where they or any hatchlings could be harmed, or they could cause harm if they turned out to be a venomous reptile species,” she said.
“On wildlife welfare and human safety grounds the decision was taken to relocate the eggs into a suitable environment using appropriate protocols.”
Ms Ryan said a number of eastern brown snakes had recently been seen in the vicinity and these sightings led FAWNA’s area snake handler to take the decision to relocate the unidentified eggs.
“The good news is that all but three of the eggs appear to have hatched,” she said.
On the FAWNA Facebook page it was reported a remaining egg contained a small pink worm-like embryo with two eyes and no sign of legs.
“It may or may not have been a snake but the good news is that all animals have been released and living in the wild,” the post said.
Ms Ryan said wildlife welfare and human safety remain FAWNA’s high priorities in its volunteer work.
On the FAWNA Facebook page the group said they always appreciate constructive input from the public.
“If you would like to join FAWNA please see our website as we would love to have more members on the ground helping our stretched volunteers, especially at this time of the year,” the post said.
Reptile expert and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage handler for the Hastings region Stuart Johnson said he believes the hearts of the FAWNA volunteers were in the right place.
“They did the best job they could in terms of protecting the needs of the community and the children at hand,” he said.
Mr Johnson said identification of embryos can be difficult as snakes and lizards look much the same in the early stages of development. He said the limbs of lizards only develop later on in the egg.
“Once the reptiles hatch out of the eggs it is easy to identify what they are going to grow up to be,” he said.
“In the early stage of development when they are in the egg both snakes and lizards have an embryo which is worm or tadpole like.
“The head develops first, then the tails and then limbs for lizards.”
Mr Johnson said from viewing the photos and reading the description of where they were found he believes they were most likely eggs of an eastern water dragon.
“They tend to nest in sandy soil and you tend to find numerous eggs in the one place,” he said.
Mr Johnson said he has had a number of years experience and has seen eggs of a number of reptiles including those from eastern brown snakes.
To join FAWNA as a volunteer visit their website www.fawna.org.au
