Recently, a homeowner in Sydney, Australia, was shocked to discover a large number of venomous red-bellied black snakes in his backyard. The man, David Stein, contacted Reptile Relocation Sydney after witnessing around six snakes entering a pile of mulch in his yard. Upon arrival, snake catcher Dylan Cooper found a staggering 102 pregnant and newborn snakes in the mulch.
The snakes were observed piling on top of each other, a behavior typical of gravid red-belly blacks before giving birth. The captured snakes included five adults and 97 offspring, with two adults giving birth to 29 snakes while being caught.
Experts are puzzled by the unusual concentration of snakes in one location. Gravid red-belly blacks may gather for safety or due to a lack of suitable birthing habitats. The extreme heat in Sydney at the time could have also triggered the birthing event.
Red-bellied black snakes are native to Australia and are among the world's most venomous snakes. The captured snakes, being a protected species, were later released into a national park by authorities to ensure minimal human interaction.
Notably, the homeowner's dog had a previous encounter with a red-bellied black snake, highlighting the potential dangers posed by these creatures. It is speculated that the snakes may return to the mulch for birthing next year.
Efforts are being made to remove the mulch pile to prevent future snake gatherings. The incident, described as rare and isolated, has left many astonished by the sheer number of snakes found in one place.
