In an extraordinary incident, more than 100 venomous snakes were discovered in a backyard in Sydney, prompting amazement among local reptile handlers. The shocking find, predominantly consisting of 97 baby red-bellied black snakes and five adults, began when Cory Kerewaro's team was called to assist after a dog was bitten by one of the snakes.
Upon arrival, Kerewaro's colleague, Dylan Cooper, was taken aback when he quickly spotted 40 red-bellied black snakes nestled in a mound of mulch. He soon realized that four of the adult snakes had given birth to their young while being bagged for removal.
Red-bellied black snakes, while venomous, are a common sight in Australia and are notable for not being responsible for any human fatalities historically. The rescued snakes are currently quarantined and are expected to be released back into the wild at a designated national park once temperatures cool down.
Kerewaro expressed his disbelief at the haul, sharing how Cooper initially reached out, stating he would be tied up for a while due to the immense number of snakes. The dog, which had been bitten during the encounter, fortunately survived and is "alive and well."
Female red-bellied black snakes are known for their tendency to gather in groups for giving birth, likely as a strategy to fend off predators, according to Kerewaro's insights. These snakes uniquely give live birth, a trait that differentiates them from many other species.
While bites from this particular species are not common, they can result in unpleasant symptoms, including swelling and nausea. As per regulations, snake catchers are obligated to return snakes to areas near their capture site, but due to the overwhelming number discovered, they received special permission to relocate these reptiles to a more isolated environment away from human density.
