Massive red-belly snake found behind child's dollhouse in Kurnell home
The parents were left in shock after making a horrifying discovery among their child’s toys.
A Sydney family has had the fright of their lives after a massive red-bellied black snake was discovered lurking behind a child’s dollhouse in their Kurnell home.
The venomous reptile, which can grow up to two metres long, was filmed being lured out of its hiding place before being placed into a bag for relocation.
Footage shows the terrifying moment the full extent of the snake’s size is revealed, with a woman audibly gasping “Oh wow,” as a child screams in the background.
“I did not want that loose in the house,” she says.
Tyler Gibbons of Shire Snake Wranglers told news.com.au that it was “one of the biggest red-bellies” he’s ever caught.
“I would say it’s the biggest one ever caught in the Sutherland Shire,” he said.
The reptile weighed in at an impressive 1.25kg and measured 1.6 metres in length.
In a separate clip provided by Mr Gibbons, the snake can be seen making its way through an open back door on CCTV footage.
In a bid to find its new home, the reptile can be seen slithering across a fitting door mat that says ‘Home.’
Earlier that week, the Kurnell Facebook community group chats had been buzzing with chatter of a lone snake seen wandering the area.
Mr Gibbons revealed the family had seen the posts and decided to lock up their chicken coop as a precaution, unaware they would be the reptile’s choice of prime real estate.
Luckily, both snake and humans were left uninjured, but Mr Gibbons says it serves as a reminder that the animals are beginning to be more active as Australia moves into its warmer months.
Red-bellied black snakes are native to eastern Australia and are commonly found in forests, wetlands, woodlands and even coastal areas.
Mr Gibbons said this particular snake looked “pretty well fed,” and that the reptiles usually enjoy a delicious diet of mice, rats, frogs, lizards and skinks.
And despite their intimidating appearance, no one has ever died from a red-belly bite in modern times.
Originally published as Massive red-belly snake found behind child's dollhouse in Kurnell home
