This is the stuff of nightmares. A family in Australia realized that one of the stuffed animals in their young daughter's bed wasn't actually a toy – it was a real and highly venomous snake. A red-bellied black snake slithered onto a unicorn-themed bed in Jumboumba, Queensland and tried to mingle with some toys – but it couldn't hide for long.
A snake catcher with Snake Catchers Brisbane and Gold Coast responded to the home to remove the snake and the video of the capture went viral. After catching the snake with a tool and his bare hands, the catcher let the reptile crawl into a bag.
According to the Australian Museum, red-bellied black snakes, which are black with a brown nose and red belly, are common in eastern Australia, and while they are venomous, they are probably the least dangerous elapid snake on the continent. According to the museum.
Although very few red-bellied black snake bites have been reported, and very few bites have resulted in death, the museum says bites should be taken seriously, as individual reactions to venom can vary. Typically, bites cause bleeding or swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
Experts say that when approached, these snakes often freeze and then try to run away. But if they can't escape, they may hiccup, feint attack, or lash out when disturbed. If attacked, they can pounce and “chew savagely,” the museum says.
Australians are no strangers to wild and potentially dangerous animals – in some cases they have been found hiding in their homes. Earlier this year, a The family saw a dangerous eastern brown snake In their 3-year-old son's underwear drawer. The highly venomous snake was removed by local pest control expert Mark Paley, known as the “Snake Hunter”.
Paley said the snake likely entered the home when the boy's mother took clothes in from an outside line, and got into a drawer while she was folding clothes.