A massive discovery of 102 venomous snakes lurking in the backyard of a Sydney home has shocked the local community. David Stein, the homeowner from Horsley Park, made this unnerving find last week when he noticed six red-bellied black snakes hiding beneath a pile of mulch. Little did he know, this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Upon initially spotting the snakes, Stein expressed his fright, saying, "I saw a pile of snakes on the mulch pile … which gave me the shivers," during his interview with Sunrise. He quickly reached out to professional snake catchers for assistance, as his intuition told him the situation was more serious than it appeared.
When Dylan Cooper and Cory Kerewaro from Reptile Relocation Sydney answered the call, they anticipated dealing with only the four snakes the homeowner had mentioned. What they found instead was astonishing. Within just 20 minutes of beginning their search, Cooper reported back to Kerewaro, saying, "I’m at over 30 snakes already.” The two snake catchers then embarked on what turned out to be three hours of frantic digging through the mulch heap, leading to the remarkable total of 102 snakes.
This unexpected surge of serpents disrupted the mundane life of the Stein family, bringing both fear and intrigue. Stein's wife did some research and discovered female red-bellied black snakes often congregate to give birth. "They can birth up to 30 snakes at any one time. That’s a lot of snakes," David Stein noted, aware of the seriousness of the situation as he reflected on the days leading to the shocking discovery.
The red-bellied black snake population is known for its potential danger. According to the Australian Museum, venom from these snakes can lead to severe symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to headaches and abdominal pain. While they are typically shy and prone to avoid human contact, the mere presence of this many snakes poses significant risks, especially to children and pets.
Reptile experts Kerewaro and Cooper were astonished by the sheer number of snakes they uncovered. Many snakes were found rapidly, creating what Kerewaro called a "bizarre" scenario. He said, "This case was pretty bizarre. I honestly don’t know if anyone’s caught any more in the one property at one time." Typically, such occurrences involving large gatherings of red-bellied black snakes remain hidden from the human eye.
The mulch pile became both the nesting ground and the birthing site for the snakes due to its stable temperature, supplying ideal conditions for the newborns. Kerewaro pointed out, "The mulch pile provided the ‘perfect conditions’ for the ladies to ‘set up house.’”
The final count by the catchers revealed five adult female snakes and 97 baby snakes. The staggering total shot up from several initial sightings to over one hundred, with the snake catchers working diligently to clear this unexpected infestation.
Stein's family initially expressed discomfort about their pets’ safety, especially after their dog narrowly escaped being bitten by one of these venomous snakes during Christmas. This recent finding made them relieved yet anxious. "It was exciting to watch the whole thing, but I feel good now they’re gone," David Stein said once the snakes were safely collected.
Social media buzzing with excitement over the story amplified its reach. Images of the snakes shared online evoked mixed reactions, with some people sharing the need for caution and others making light-hearted comments about unwanted encounters with snakes. One viewer quipped, "Lesson here. Don’t have a mulch pile!" highlighting the unexpected dangers of seemingly innocent outdoor decor.
After their capture, the snakes were relocated to undisclosed bushland, picked to keep them far from populated areas. Local laws mandate such practices to lessen the chance of future human encounters with these potentially dangerous reptiles. For David Stein’s family, the home is now free of snakes, allowing them to enjoy their yard once more. "It’s been quite the story, something we will talk about for years to come,” he mused after the incident.
This shocking incident serves as both a cautionary tale and reminder of the hidden dangers lurking just beneath the surface of suburban life. With the warmer weather prompting snakes to become more active, experts encourage homeowners to be aware and vigilant. If similar encounters occur, it is critically important to remain calm and call for professional help instead of attempting to tackle the issue independently.
Raising awareness about snake behavior and their safety is particularly important when living near their habitats. Kerewaro emphasized, "They’re not bad as long as people are snake aware and they don’t mess with them. If it’s up around the house and you do want to remove them… call a catcher and get some advice.” The pressure of having snakes lurking nearby is not something any homeowner hopes to deal with, but through proper attention and action, encounters can be managed safely.