A Sydney snake catcher has posted a video of the remarkable results of a recent job after they were called to check out a woodpile in the city’s west.
“We were called to remove some red-bellied black snakes sighted on a mulch pile in the backyard of a property in Horsley Park,” Reptile Relocation Sydney posted on Facebook.
“Over the last two weeks, the homeowners had sighted a couple of redbellies disappearing into and out of the mulch pile, and at this time of year, it can be common for some females to congregate and share the same birthing site.”
The snake catcher on the job, namely one Dylan, expected to find four red-bellied black snakes that had been seen in that time.
But, as the snake removers put it on Facebook, “within a few minutes, we knew this was going to be unusual”.
“Snake after snake, they just kept being uncovered,” they wrote.
“Long story short, we went for four adults and came out with 102 snakes in total – 97 newborn redbellies and five adults.”
They posted a video of Dylan’s remarkable catch, which amounts to an ophidiophobe’s worst nightmare.
Red-bellied black snakes are venomous but like all snakes, not aggressive unless they feel in danger or threatened.
Watch your fingers – can you spot the snake in the box?
Despite being responsible for a number of bites to humans every year, there are very few deaths attributed to them, and many of those are of dubious historical veracity, according to the Australian Museum.
However, if you do see one – or 100 – hanging around , it’s still best to call a professional snake catcher to take care of the issue.
