Baby eastern brown snake found in child’s lunch box at Hahndorf

WE’VE all heard of snakes on a plane — but one family entered a whole new world of terror when a baby eastern brown snake was found hiding inside a child’s lunch box.

• My nightmare Adelaide snake season has begun
• Warning mice plague will bring more snakes to Adelaide backyards

WE’VE all heard of snakes on a plane, but one family entered a whole new world of terror when a baby eastern brown snake was found hiding inside a child’s lunch box.

The skin-crawling discovery was made by a mother at Hahndorf on Monday as she stood inside a pantry packing her child’s food.

The woman placed an apple and two other snacks into the lunch box before she realised a snake was hiding inside the lip of the lid.

The baby eastern brown snake found inside a lunch box. Picture: Snake Catchers Adelaide.

Rolly Burrell from Snake Catchers Adelaide said the infant reptile looked innocent but could still inflict serious damage with its venom.

“It was an eastern brown snake. They’re classed as the second deadliest brown snake in the world,” Mr Burrell told The Advertiser.

“They have venom within the first couple of weeks when they come out of the egg and this one was maybe two weeks old.

“(The mother) was pretty frightened. It could have been bad if the snake bit the kid, there would have been some big problems.

“(The snake) went into the pantry and that’s when the lady found it in the lunch box. We see it all the time.”

He said this year has been the busiest season he has experienced in 40 years.

The mother quickly shut the lunch box and put it outside while she waited for Mr Burrell to arrive.

Once caught, snakes are re-released in remote areas away from people.

Mr Burrell said he has been run off his feet recently with calls to catch snakes that have invaded people’s homes. Up to 40 eastern brown snakes can hatch at one time.

Last week Mr Burrell caught an eastern brown snake under a quilt. The family cat brought it inside and dropped it on a bed.

“Adult snakes have up to 40 babies and they have got to go out and have their first feed,” he said.

“If they don’t get their first feed before they hibernate they usually die. They’re all roaming around now and they’ve got about two and a half months before hibernation.”