Snake breeding ball, eastern browns relocated as season heats up on Mid-North Coast

An awesome image of what experts believe is a writhing breeding ball of snakes has been captured as the active season for the reptiles is in full swing across the Mid-North Coast.

An incredible image of what experts believe is a breeding ball of snakes has been captured as the active season for the reptiles is in full swing across the Mid-North Coast.

The photo appears to show a large female python with several males vying for her attention.

Jayden Patterson from Taree’s Reptile Relocation said he was confident the photo shows a “breeding ball” – not just “two blokes punching on to see who gets to breed with the female”.

A breeding ball of pythons at Wauchope. Picture: Kayle Wilson.

The image was taken by Kayla Wilson in Wauchope at the weekend, who believes the large female python is about 20-years-old.

Mating balls are often a fleeting phenomenon and toads, bees and wasps also huddle together in a similar way.

Jayden Patterson from Reptile Relocation at Taree has been busy in recent weeks.

Ms Wilson shared the photo on Facebook and got some horrified reactions.

“I did get a bit of a shock, but it was something I’d never seen – so awesome,” she responded.

Leanne Moon posted “so it’s like a snake orgy?”

Ms Wilson has been contacted to speak about her experience.

Retirement village snake relocation

With snake season from September to April underway, social media feeds have been full of photos and videos of the reptiles out and about.

Mr Patterson said his phone has been running hot.

He has been into snakes for as long as he can remember.

Jayden Patterson with the eastern brown he removed from a local retirement village.

“I have always been fascinated with reptiles from lizards and turtles to snakes and crocodiles,” he said.

“I use to dress up as Steve Irwin in preschool.”

Mr Patterson started the business Reptile Relocation about five years ago.

He has been busy in recent weeks, mostly with eastern brown and red-bellied black snakes.

Last week, Mr Patterson removed an eastern brown from Warana Place, which is a Taree retirement village.

Another eastern brown relocation, this time in Mount George.

“It was curled up under a pot plant – the lady just wanted it gone,” he said.

The following day, Mr Patterson was called to Mount George to remove another large eastern brown from underneath a caravan.

“I stand about six feet tall and it was a lot longer than me,” he said.

Mr Patterson has also had to release a few red-bellied black snakes tangled in nets used to protect fruit on farms from birds and bats.

“It’s horrible, nasty stuff crushing the snakes,” he said.