Massive red-bellied black snake found in lawnmower

A red-bellied black snake has had a lucky escape after crawling into a lawnmower. And so has the mower’s owner. SEE THE PHOTOS

A southeast Queensland gardener got a nasty shock when they walked into their garden shed and discovered a giant, deadly red-bellied black snake curled up under a lawnmower.

The 1.76m, 2.1kg specimen, found late on Saturday at Wights Mountain in the Samford Valley northwest of Brisbane, is close to the maximum size for the species.

The red-bellied black snake found in the lawnmower.

Steven Brown, from Brisbane North Snake Catchers and Relocation, said it was in good health despite a few ticks but was released soon after to minimise stress.

The red-bellied black snake found in the lawnmower, in the garden shed.

The snake in the garden shed.

Steven Brown with the snake.

The reptile is the biggest red-bellied black snake Mr Brown has seen.

He said they got a call from the homeowner who saw something dart under the mower.

They weren’t sure what it was but erred on the side of caution — luckily for them — and called for help.

“Red-bellied black snakes (Pseudechis porphyriacus) are capable of a fatal bite if handled or harassed,’’ Mr Brown said.

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“We released him on Sunday morning rather than waiting for dark so as not to cause him any more stress.

“He had a few ticks on him which I removed with help from one of my workers, but otherwise was very healthy and very big — fatter than a Coke can.

“I’ve never seen one that big before. Usually they’re only about 1.2-1.5m.

“We got one last year in the same street, so they breed them big around there obviously.’’