In a startling turn of events, over 100 venomous snakes have been found in a backyard mulch pile in Sydney, alarming local residents and reptile handlers alike. The unexpected haul consisted of five adult red-bellied black snakes and a staggering 97 newborns, leading to a significant rescue effort by Reptile Relocation Sydney.
The incident came to light when a dog was bitten, prompting Cory Kerewaro and his team to investigate. Initially, they anticipated a minor difficulty, but it quickly escalated when they discovered a large number of snakes. "Mate, I'm going to be here a while. It's a pretty big pile... I'm already over 15 snakes!" Kerewaro's colleague Dylan Cooper reported within 15 minutes of arriving at the scene, indicating the extraordinary size of the discovery.
Red-bellied black snakes, while among Australia’s most common venomous snakes, are known for their relatively low threat to humans, with no recorded fatalities. The snakes have been taken into quarantine and will be relocated to a national park when conditions become safer for their release.
These fascinating reptiles give live birth—a rarity in the snake world—and are known for their shy behavior. Although bites can occur, they typically result in mild symptoms, such as swelling or nausea. Given the large number retrieved, handlers have received special permission to release the snakes in a location away from human habitation to minimize encounters.
The dog affected by the bite is reported to be "alive and well," further highlighting the remarkable, albeit surprising, nature of this discovery.
