An elderly resident of Sydney's Upper North Shore has experienced a terrifying and unexpected home invasion, discovering one of Australia's most recognisable venomous snakes inside her Wahroonga house.
A Frightening Discovery in Wahroonga
The woman received the shock of her life when she spotted a large red-bellied black snake moving through her home. The reptile quickly sought refuge in the bathroom, prompting the quick-thinking senior to close the door and seal the gap underneath, effectively trapping the unwelcome guest.
"I received a call from an elderly lady who’d been given quite a fright by a large red-bellied black snake inside her home," recounted Chris Williams from Sydney Snake Catchers. Confident the snake was contained in the bathroom, Williams arrived on the scene ready for a retrieval.
The Elusive Hideaway
The snake catcher's search began with the obvious spots. He looked under towels and sorted through the typical bathroom clutter, but the venomous visitor was nowhere to be found. "We worked through all the obvious hiding spots," Williams explained.
The search took an unexpected turn. After checking numerous places, the professional finally located the snake in the last spot anyone would anticipate. The red-bellied black snake had coiled itself inside an elevated bathroom drawer, well off the ground and hidden among toiletries.
"In the end, the snake turned up in the very last place we expected — tucked away in an elevated drawer, well off the ground," said Williams. The snake had apparently climbed up and into the drawer after being disturbed by the household activity.
A Memorable Catch and Safety Advice
"I was genuinely surprised and the homeowner was understandably relieved," Chris admitted. He noted that while his team catches hundreds of red-bellied black snakes each season, this particular job stands out as one of the more memorable due to the snake's ingenious and elevated hiding place.
While the red-bellied black snake is venomous, its bite is not generally considered fatal to healthy adults. However, it poses a significantly greater risk to pets and small children. The incident serves as a timely reminder for Sydney residents, especially those in bushland-adjacent suburbs like Wahroonga, to be vigilant, particularly during the warmer months when snake activity increases.
Key safety tips if you find a snake in your home:
- Do not attempt to catch or kill it.
- Keep children and pets away.
- If possible, close the door to the room it is in and seal the gap underneath.
- Call a licensed professional snake catcher immediately.
