In an astonishing incident in Sydney, reptile handlers have rescued a total of 102 venomous snakes from a mulch pile in a residential backyard, capturing the attention of both the locals and wildlife enthusiasts. The rescue operation led by Cory Kerewaro, from Reptile Relocation Sydney, was prompted by a report of a snake bite on a dog at the property.
Upon arrival, Kerewaro's colleague encountered an overwhelming 40 red-bellied black snakes. To their surprise, four of these adult snakes had given birth to numerous baby snakes while being placed into a removal bag. This particular species, known scientifically for being one of the most common venomous snakes in Australia, has yet to be linked to any human deaths.
The haul of snakes included five adults and an extraordinary 97 juveniles, marking a record number of snakes for Kerewaro and his team, who typically handle between five to 15 reptiles a day. In a statement, Kerewaro shared the shock of receiving a call from his colleague, who exclaimed, "Mate, I'm going to be here a while. It's a pretty big pile... I'm already over 15 snakes!" Despite his initial disbelief, they managed to capture the reptiles swiftly.
Fortunately, the dog involved in the incident is reported to be "alive and well." This encounter highlights the behavior of female red-bellied black snakes, which are known to gather in small groups during birthing, possibly as a strategy to deter predators, according to the Australian Museum.
While bites from these snakes can cause symptoms like swelling, nausea, and diarrhea, they are generally considered shy and tend to avoid human interaction. Under legal regulations, snake catchers must release the snakes near their original habitat; however, due to the significant number found, the handlers obtained permission to relocate them to a national park where human interactions can be minimized.
