Ms Gaikhorst said the centre had dealt with a recent spate of injured reptiles, including bobtails, snakes and oblong turtles, which were in search of food, water or a mate at this time of the year.
“The bobtail is the most common reptile we see sick or injured after being hit by cars, attacked by dogs, whipped by whipper snippers, scalped by lawn mowers or burnt in fires,” she said.
“We can only stress that people be aware by watching the roads, be vigilant when mowing and teaching dogs to leave wildlife alone.”
Ms Gaikhors said dog attack injuries were the most common and they continued to increase each year. A bobtail that was brought into the centre last month lost its life after suffering 11 broken ribs from a dog bite.
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READ NOWSnakes also suffered injuries from people who attacked or trapped them out of fear, instead of calling a snake handler to remove them.
Ms Gaikhorst said snakes would much rather flee if given the chance and reptiles were threatened by loss of habitat, fire, road injuries and attacks from dogs and cats.
If anyone needs a snake relocated or finds sick or injured wildlife, call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or the Armadale Reptile Centre on 9399 6927.