Reptile handlers in Australia were astonished to rescue 102 venomous snakes from a backyard mulch pile in Sydney.
Cory Kerewaro's team was called to the property after a snake bite incident involving a dog. Upon arrival, they found 40 red-bellied black snakes, with four of them giving birth after being safely contained.
Red-bellied black snakes, common venomous reptiles in Australia, have never caused human fatalities. The captured snakes, consisting of five adults and 97 babies, are currently in quarantine and will be released into a national park when temperatures drop.
This rescue stands out as a record for the snake handlers, who typically retrieve between five and 15 snakes daily. When colleague Dylan Cooper informed Kerewaro of the situation, he exclaimed, "Mate, I'm going to be here a while. It's a pretty big pile... I'm already over 15 snakes!" Kerewaro initially thought it was a joke.
Fortunately, the dog involved in the incident on Boxing Day is safe. Female red-bellied black snakes tend to give birth in groups, possibly for protection against predators, as noted by Kerewaro. This species is unique in giving live birth, as detailed by the Australian Museum.
Though generally timid, red-bellied black snake bites, while rare, can cause symptoms like swelling, nausea, and diarrhea. Per regulations, the snakes are usually released in their original habitat, but due to the scale of this find, the team received approval to release them in a national park to minimize interaction with humans.