Latest news with #ReptileRelocationSydney
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sad detail in incredible snake photo shows 'illegal' act Aussies are warned against
An eye-opening photo showing a red-bellied black snake entangled in netting has highlighted why laying traps for native animals can be "incredibly cruel" and even illegal, experts say. The picture, taken overnight in Narellan in Sydney, shows the reptile with netting piercing its mouth and head, which left it with severe cuts and swelling. "This poor red bellied black snake was caught in some horrible netting material left down on the ground to catch [it], safe to say it's done what the people wanted, but look at the damage this stuff causes," Reptile Relocation Sydney wrote online. The wildlife group said many snakes are already "stressing and fighting" at this time of year, trying to navigate seasonal changes and habitat loss, conditions that have been exacerbated by the unpredictable recent weather. Snake handler Cory, from Reptile Relocation, told Yahoo News this particular incident was caused by an unlicensed individual who unlawfully "sets netting placements down for people" and he warned against "trying to trap animals" in this way. "The snake is still alive and will be going to get checked over by a vet. It'll most likely need some antibiotics and some time in care to deal with the damage to its scales — but it may need to be euthanised," he lamented. Cory said the trap deployed was an "old type of bird netting" commonly used to protect fruit trees from birds, but it "also entangles many more animals". "There's much better stuff available now so the animals don't get trapped," he said. Instead he encouraged Aussies, if they're worried about snakes, to give an experienced handler a call. "They will be able to give you advice or put you onto the best person for the job," he said. As the warmer weather wraps up and temperatures drop, snakes begin preparing for brumation (a hibernation-like state). Experts warn they may be more active in search of food to build up energy reserves or looking for suitable shelter, increasing their chances of encountering humans or pets. Sudden warm days followed by cold snaps can confuse snakes, like what Sydneysiders have recently experienced, disrupting their normal behaviour and movement patterns. Warning for homeowners after deadly 2kg find in backyard Aussies cautioned after snake 'strangled' in backyard Snake catcher unearths 'bizarre' find hiding in couple's backyard As prey animals like frogs, lizards and rodents become less active in cooler weather, snakes may find it harder to hunt, leading to increased movement and potential encounters. Netting, especially loose or fine-mesh garden netting, is especially cruel for snakes because it often leads to slow and painful deaths. Snakes, when moving through or over netting, easily get their heads, bodies, and scales caught. As they struggle to free themselves, the netting tightens, cutting off circulation and causing stress, injury, or suffocation. The fine strands of netting can dig into a snake's soft body as it attempts to escape. This can result in deep wounds, severed tails, or even the loss of entire body sections. Many snakes die from infections or blood loss even if they manage to escape. Trapped in netting, snakes may be left for hours or even days before being found. During this time, they experience dehydration, exhaustion and exposure to predators, which can attack and even eat them while they are still alive. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Miami Herald
10-02-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Writhing mass of 102 venomous snakes found in mulch pile at Australia home. Take a look
When you live in Australia, possibly crossing paths with any matter of venomous creatures comes with the territory. But one Sydney homeowner got more than they bargained for when they noticed a snake in their backyard. Reptile Relocation Sydney was called to a house when the homeowners noticed a couple red-bellied black snakes slithering their way into their mulch pile, the group said in a Feb. 4 Facebook post. It's common for females of the species to congregate this time of year to give birth, the group said, so the snake catchers suspected there would be multiple snakes inside the pile. 'Upon arrival, we expected to remove four redbellies that had been seen,' Reptile Relocation Sydney said. 'Dylan was the man for the job and got straight to work going through the mulch. Within a few minutes, we knew this was going to be unusual.' The group said as they started to pull out snakes, there just seemed to be more and more snakes appearing in the pile, far more than they could have ever imagined. 'Long story short, we went for four adults and came out with 102 snakes in total — 97 newborn redbellies and five adults,' the group said. Cory Kerewaro, owner of Reptile Relocation Sydney, told the Associated Press he had never seen a removal this large before. Previously, the largest similar job he'd heard of involved 30 non-venomous carpet pythons. This was a completely different game. 'You can get a decent number like that when the babies are hatching,' Kerewaro told the outlet. 'But to have this many venomous snakes, no one's come across it.' Kerewaro also said two of the adult snakes were even giving birth in the bag after they were captured while the snake catchers were still sifting through mulch, according to the AP. Red-bellied black snakes, while dangerous, are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Australia, according to the Australian Museum. They average in size between 5 and 6.5 feet long and are typically found in moist habitats like swamps and lagoons but can also be found in forests, woodlands and grasslands. They are often found in drainage canals or thick grass clumps, according to the museum. 'Just seeing that amount in one group, it gives you a bit of the shudders,' the homeowner, David Stein, told the AP. Red-bellied black snakes live throughout the eastern coast of Australia. The snakes were found in Sydney, on Australia's southeastern coast.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Jaw-Dropping Number of Venomous Snakes Removed From Man's Backyard
A homeowner in Australia received quite the horrific shock when he called reptile experts after spotting a few snakes in his backyard. However, a search of the property turned up over 100 of the slithery creatures, which turned out to be venomous red-bellied black snakes. Sydney resident David Stein learned from an internet search that the half-dozen snakes he saw slithering around on a pile of mulch in his backyard were likely pregnant, as the red-belly blacks—as the are commonly referred to—pile on top of each other before they give birth. The species is one of eastern Australia's most commonly seen snakes. Their venom can cause significant illness, though no deaths have been recorded. Stein then contacted Reptile Relocation Sydney, which sent out a snake catcher that afternoon. Together, the pair raked away the mulch, bagging five adult snakes and 97 offspring. Cory Kerewaro, the owner of the relocation service, told ABC News that two of the captured adults gave birth to 29 newborn snakes in the bag while the snake catcher was still at work. "Just seeing that amount in one group, it gives you a bit of the shudders," Stein recalled. Kerewaro said he had never heard of so many snakes being caught at a single location, noting that the largest haul he had heard of was 30 non-venomous carpet pythons. However, while red-belly blacks give birth, baby pythons hatch from eggs, which can lead to a more prolific number of offspring. "You can get a decent number like that when the babies are hatching," Kerewaro explained. "But to have this many venomous snakes, no one's come across it." Australian wildlife expert Scott Eipper, who has written several books on the subject, spoke with Kerewaro during the capture effort and suggested that unusually hot weather may have triggered the snakes to rapidly give birth. He said that pregnant red-belly blacks may congregate for safety or shortage of suitable birthing habitat. "This is an isolated incident. It's certainly a very rare occurrence," Eipper said, adding that the species typically has litters of four to 35 offspring. In the meantime, because the red-belly blacks are a protected species in Australia, government authorities gave Kerewaro permission to release them into a national park. Though, he's aware that finding a good home for them is going to be tricky. "Because there was such a large number, obviously people were a bit concerned where 100 snakes were going to go," Kerewaro added. "They'll be far enough away to avoid any human interaction; 100 snakes are going into the middle of the bush in the middle of nowhere."
South China Morning Post
07-02-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Over 100 venomous snakes found in Australian man's backyard
Published: 1:23am, 8 Feb 2025 An Australian man described feeling 'the shudders' as more than 100 venomous red-bellied black snakes were removed from a pile of mulch in his Sydney backyard. David Stein called Reptile Relocation Sydney last week after watching around six snakes slither into the mulch. He learned from an internet search that pregnant, known as gravid, red-belly blacks pile on top of each other before they give birth. Snake catcher Dylan Cooper arrived that afternoon. Stein helped rake away mulch as Cooper bagged 102 pregnant and newborn snakes. 'Just seeing that amount in one group, it gives you a bit of the shudders,' Stein said Friday. Reptile Relocation Sydney owner Cory Kerewaro said two of the captured adults gave birth to a total of 29 snakes in the bag while Cooper was still sifting through mulch catching more. The final tally was five adults and 97 offspring caught, Kerewaro said.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Homeowner horrified as over 100 venomous snakes removed from backyard
An Australian man was left shocked after discovering more than 100 venomous snakes under a pile of mulch in the backyard of his home in Sydney. David Stein of Horsley Park called Reptile Relocation Sydney last Friday after spotting six snakes slither into the mulch. He had been alerted to their presence after one of the snakes bit his dog, local media reported. Reptile Relocation Sydney owner Cory Kerewaro arrived that afternoon and bagged 102 venomous red-bellied black snakes. 'Just seeing that amount in one group, it gives you a bit of the shudders," Mr Stein said. He said two of the captured adults gave birth to 29 snakes in the bag. 'There was just over 40 that we pulled out of the pile and then when we went to leave the property, we checked the bags,' he said, 'and two of them had given birth and it brought the number up to around 70'. The final tally was five adult snakes and 97 offspring, Mr Kerewaro said. Faced with a large number of slithering reptiles, the snake catchers enlisted the help of homeowners in the neighbourhood to round up all of them. "If they didn't help, we probably would have called it a day and went back the next day to keep going," Mr Kerewaro said according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Reptile experts are not sure why so many snakes were hatched in such a short time at Mr Stein's 1.4-hectare property in Sydney's western outskirts. Mr Kerewaro said the largest haul that he had heard of in a snake removal job was 30 non-venomous carpet pythons. "You can get a decent number like that when the babies are hatching," he said. "But to have this many venomous snakes, no one's come across it." The red-bellied black snake is commonly found in eastern New South Wales and Victoria and typically gives birth to five to 18 offspring. Most of the world's most venomous snakes are native to Australia. Scott Eipper, who has written many books about Australian snakes and dangerous wildlife, said red-bellied black snakes may congregate for safety reasons or a shortage of suitable habitat to give birth. Mr Eipper, who spoke to Mr Kerewaro the day the snakes were caught, said it was possible that extraordinarily hot weather in Sydney had triggered birthing. "This is an isolated incident," Mr Eipper said, according to the Associated Press. 'It's certainly a very rare occurrence.'
