Snake catcher removes 1.2m eastern brown from Harrington Park home

A Harrington Park family had an unpleasant surprise when they found a large eastern brown snake enjoying their backyard in the middle of winter.

Sean cade with eastern brown snake removed from a Harrington Park backyard on Saturday. Picture: Australian Snake Catchers

A Harrington Park family got an unpleasant surprise on Saturday when they found a large eastern brown snake enjoying their backyard in the middle of winter.

Sean Cade, from Australian Snake Catchers, was called out to the home, and said while it was an unusual find, it was important for residents to be aware that snakes would still be active in the cooler weather.

Sean Cade bags the 1.2m snake. Picture: Australian Snake Catchers

“The couple sent me a photo of the snake and it looked like an eastern brown so I told them not to go near it as it’s quite dangerous,” he said. “I went through the whole garden but couldn’t find anything; then I noticed a triangle shaped hole in the retaining wall bricks and it had holed up in there.

“To find an eastern brown of that size at this time of year is quite unusual, but a lot of people don’t realise that snakes don’t actually hibernate in winter.

“On Saturday it got quite warm for a few hours so I’d say he came out to soak up the sun, and enjoy the bricks as they retain a lot of heat.”

The snake was found inside hiding inside retaining wall bricks on the property. Picture: Australian Snake Catchers

Mr Cade said the 1.2m long eastern brown snake had likely come from a nearby development site.

It had been seen in the area a few days earlier.

“With the development that’s going on in the area they are being dug up and losing their habitat,” he said.

“Please be vigilant if you live near to any bushland, roadworks, development sites and livestock.

“Do not approach any snake, as this could turn a calm snake into a dangerous snake very quickly.”

To contact the Australian Snake Catchers call: 0410 761 575