Sydney: A Sydney homeowner found an unexpected and unsettling surprise when 102 snakes were unearthed from his garden.
David Stein, a resident of Horsley Park, noticed snakes in his backyard mulch and called professionals for help.
After contacting Reptile Relocation Sydney, snake catcher Dylan Cooper arrived to investigate and remove the reptiles from the yard.
Snake Discovery
The snake catcher discovered a total of 102 snakes, including five adults and 97 newborns.
Cory Kerewaro, the owner of Reptile Relocation Sydney, confirmed the unusual find to the media.
Red-bellied black snakes, a venomous species, were the culprits hiding in Stein’s backyard mulch.
Unusual Birth of Snakes
What made this case unique was the fact that the snake catcher witnessed the collective birth of the snakes.
“It’s never really been seen,” Kerewaro said. “It’s pretty bizarre,” he added, noting the rarity of the event.
One of the female snakes that the authorities removed from the pile gave birth to additional newborns in the removal bag.
Stein called the snake catchers at the right moment, as the newborn snakes were ready to leave the mulch.
Kerewaro explained that had they not arrived on time, the snakes would have scattered across the neighborhood.
“The snakes had just been born and were about to venture out into the world,” Kerewaro said.
Stein initially thought there were only six snakes, but soon realized the situation was much worse.
Snake Relocation
After researching, Stein’s wife discovered that female snakes often gather to give birth, prompting him to call for help.
Cooper arrived on Friday to safely remove the snakes, ensuring no more would be born in the yard.
Although Stein found the experience “exciting,” he felt relieved when the authorities removed the snakes.
The authorities relocated the snakes to a national park, where they could thrive in their natural environment.
