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Snakes, disturbed by development, seek shelter in homes

UNSEASONABLY warm weather and urban development have stirred slithery reptiles from their usual habitats to seek shelter in suburban properties.

If disturbed, reptiles will seek shelter where they can: Sean Cade from Australian Snake Catchers
If disturbed, reptiles will seek shelter where they can: Sean Cade from Australian Snake Catchers

SNAKES alive! Unseasonably warm weather and urban development have stirred slithery reptiles from their usual habitats to seek shelter in suburban properties.

A Fairfield family received a note under their door from an unknown person last week after a venomous red-bellied black snake slithered inside their garage.

When the scaly intruder reared his head, Sean Cade from Australian Snake Catchers was called.

Snake catcher Sean Cade with an eastern brown snake. Picture: Carmela Roche
Snake catcher Sean Cade with an eastern brown snake. Picture: Carmela Roche

“The red-bellied black snake in Fairfield was seeking shelter due to railway track work and the clean-up of an overgrown garden,” Mr Cade said.

“The snake was also in the early stages of shedding its skin and due to this had poor eyesight, so the unit’s garage was a safe haven.”

The red-bellied black snake is one of a veritable pit of snakes that has cropped up over Sydney’s southwest in recent weeks.

This month Mr Cade also collected a small red-bellied black snake and released it away from homes, businesses and people after a call for help from staff at a Cecil Hills store.

An extremely cranky eastern brown snake was captured and relocated from a Bringelly backyard.

Australian animal encounters

“If disturbed, reptiles will seek shelter where they can,” Mr Cade said.

“When their own habitat is destroyed by development they have no other place to go except for suburban properties.”

In recent weeks Australian Snake Catchers has picked up eastern browns in Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Horsley Park, Cecil Hills and Green Valley.

They have also collected red-bellied black snakes in Leppington, Kemps Creek, Austral and Hoxton Park.

Got snakes? Contact Australian Snake Catchers on 0410 761 575.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/fairfield-advance/snakes-disturbed-by-development-seek-shelter-in-homes/news-story/ce027621d2d5e856ca095e78bfec82ac