Govind Tekale
David Stein thought he was seeing things. Six red-bellied black snakes were sliding around his backyard mulch pile in western Sydney. He grabbed his camera. By then, the snakes had vanished into the mulch.
“It was terrifying,” Stein told Sunrise news.
His wife’s quick internet search revealed something important: female snakes gather together to give birth. The Steins called Reptile Relocation Sydney for help.
Snake catcher Dylan Cooper arrived at their Horsley Park home. He started searching the mulch pile. Within minutes, he knew this was different. “Snake after snake, they just kept being uncovered,” his company posted on Facebook.
The final count shocked everyone: 102 snakes. Five were adult females. The rest were babies. Some were born right after being caught.
“Pretty bizarre,” said Corey Kerewaro, who owns Reptile Relocation Sydney. “In nature it’d be really common, it’s just that we physically don’t see it.”
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The mulch pile turned out to be perfect for snake mothers. It kept the temperature steady – exactly what baby snakes need.
Red-bellied black snakes can be dangerous. The Australian Museum lists their bite symptoms: nausea, vomiting, headaches, and muscle pain. But these snakes usually avoid people unless threatened.
The Steins knew the risks firsthand. Their dog had survived a snake bite just months earlier, at Christmas. This close call made them extra careful this time.
The removal took three hours. The Steins even helped, after putting on protective boots and long pants. But Kerewaro warns against handling snakes without training. “They’re not bad as long as people are snake aware and don’t mess with them,” he said. “If it’s up around the house… call a catcher and get some advice.”
The snakes will get a new home. By law, they must be released within 20 kilometers. National parks helped choose a safe, remote spot. Scientists are studying this unusual case to learn more about these native snakes.
For people living in snake areas, this discovery teaches important lessons. Watch out for snake activity in your yard, especially around mulch or garden materials. Most importantly, if you see a snake, call professionals. Don’t try to catch it yourself.
One female snake hasn’t given birth yet. This means the record-breaking count of 102 might go even higher.
