In a remarkable incident in Sydney, Australia, a man named David Stein encountered an overwhelming presence of venomous red-bellied black snakes in his backyard. More than 100 of these snakes were discovered in a large pile of mulch, prompting Stein to contact Reptile Relocation Sydney for assistance. He initially observed around six snakes entering the mulch, which led him to research and discover that gravid (pregnant) red-bellied blacks often congregate in groups before giving birth.
Snake catcher Dylan Cooper responded rapidly to Stein's call and arrived the same afternoon. Together, they began the painstaking task of raking away the mulch in order to capture the snakes. Cooper bagged a total of 102 snakes during the operation, which consisted of both pregnant adults and their newborns. Stein expressed his shock at the sheer number of snakes, stating, "Just seeing that amount in one group, it gives you a bit of the shudders." In a surprising turn, two of the captured adult snakes gave birth to a total of 29 offspring while still in the bag, leading to a final tally of five adult snakes and 97 young ones caught from the pile.
The unusual gathering of these snakes raised questions among experts regarding the reasons behind such a significant number coming together in one location. Cory Kerewaro, the owner of Reptile Relocation Sydney, noted this was an unprecedented occurrence, mentioning that his previous record for a similar snake removal involved only 30 non-venomous carpet pythons. Unlike pythons, which hatch from eggs, red-belly blacks are live bearers, making this event particularly rare.
Scott Eipper, an expert on Australian snakes and wildlife, shared insights on why this phenomenon might have occurred. He suggested that pregnant red-belly blacks may aggregate for safety or due to a lack of suitable habitats for giving birth. Additionally, he pointed out that unusual weather conditions in Sydney might have played a role in triggering the birthing process, raising the possibility that this incident was a result of extreme heat.
Red-bellied black snakes, which typically produce litters ranging from 4 to 35 young, may have had some of their captured offspring already leave the vicinity prior to the successful captures. Kerewaro explained that because such a large number of snakes were involved, concerns arose about where they would be relocated. The snakes are a protected species, and authorities granted permission for them to be released into a national park, ensuring they would be taken far away from human interaction.
The snake-catching operation took place on David Stein's property, measuring 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) in the suburban area of Horsley Park on Sydney's western outskirts. Interestingly, this is not the first encounter Stein has had with these snakes. In December of the previous year, his Jack Russell terrier, Belle, was attacked by a juvenile red-bellied black snake. Belle required four days of treatment in an animal hospital and multiple doses of antivenom before recovering.
Stein was advised that there is a possibility the snakes could return to give birth around the same time next year. Anticipating future visits from the snakes, he mentioned, "Within the next couple of days, this big pile of mulch will be gone." The incident not only highlights the unusual reproductive habits of red-bellied blacks but also underscores the importance of awareness and safety when living in proximity to wildlife.
