A suburban home in Horsley Park, Western Sydney, has become the unlikely stage for an astonishing snake saga, as resident David Stein recently discovered he was living with 102 red-bellied black snakes. This astonishing family of venomous reptiles was found hiding in piles of mulch at his property, about 39 kilometers west of Sydney's central business district.
Stein's alarming encounter began as he casually strolled through his backyard. "A couple of years ago, we mulched around our trees down the back here to keep them healthy and I came down the backyard early last week just to wander around and have a look around," he told Sunrise. What he stumbled upon was nothing short of terrifying—an initial sighting of six snakes resting atop the mulch pile.
"I saw a pile of snakes on the mulch pile ... which gave me the shivers," Stein recounted. He rushed to grab his camera, but by the time he returned, the snakes had already retreated back inside the mulch. "It was terrifying," he admitted. The situation escalated when he and his wife began to research the alarming sightings, leading them to discover the explanation for the snakes’ behavior.
According to Stein, "That’s when my wife Googled and found out females congregate like this when they’re about to give birth. They can birth up to 30 snakes at any one time. That’s a lot of snakes." After digging through the mulch, they were shocked to realize just how many reptiles had taken residence.
Red-bellied black snakes, known for their stunning color yet significant venomous properties, are typically shy and prefer to avoid human interaction. Their venom holds anti-coagulant and myotoxic effects, causing symptoms ranging from localized swelling to more severe reactions like nausea and headache.
Upon learning of the infestation, Stein called Reptile Relocation Sydney for assistance. Snake catchers Cory and Dylan prepared for what they believed would be the simple capture of several snakes, as they had received reports of just four visible snakes. But upon arrival, the team quickly found themselves dealing with what would turn out to be much more than expected. "We were called to remove some red-bellied black snakes sighted on a mulch pile in the backyard of a property in Horsley Park," they shared on their social media account. "Upon arrival, we expected to remove redbellies... Within a few minutes, we knew this was going to be unusual. Snake after snake, they just kept being uncovered."
Stein’s home was ground zero for 102 snakes—97 were newborns and five adults. Reptile Relocation Sydney’s post humorously titled, "101 Dalmatians? How about 102 redbellies!" showcased the snake-catching team’s astonishment at the discovery.
Interestingly, this phenomenon isn't entirely rare during the birthing season for these snakes, which usually occurs during warm months. "This time of year, it can be common for some females to congregate and share the same birthing site," the snake catchers elaborated, shedding light on the surprising behavior of these reptiles.
After the successful rescue operation, Stein expressed relief, noting he felt good now knowing the snakes were gone. He experienced mixed emotions throughout the ordeal – excitement to witness such a unique natural event, alongside the overwhelming fear of living so close to dozens of dangerous snakes.
The event has left the local community buzzing, as suburban settings typically do not witness such extreme wildlife encounters. Stein’s extraordinary story serves as both a cautionary tale about the potential for snake infestations and the importance of maintaining awareness about local wildlife.
With their sudden influx, it’s clear this fascinating yet frightening moment is a reminder of living among nature, especially for those residing on the fringes of urban areas. Wildlife experts recommend residents remain vigilant, especially when spotting wildlife congregations, as the presence of such snakes could pose serious risks to both humans and pets.