A family in NSW’s Hunter Region was shocked to find a highly venomous snake hiding underneath a cot.
The red-bellied black snake was spotted in the Raymond Terrace home on Tuesday, prompting a call to Tilligerry Reptile Relocation Services.
Craig Williams, who attended the call, told 7NEWS.com.au the family were “petrified” by the discovery.
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With the red-bellied black snake being potentially deadly, Williams said the situation could have quickly gone “pear-shaped”.
“(Red-bellied blacks are) maybe the ninth, tenth, deadliest (snake) in the world,” Williams said.
“They’re highly venomous.
“It wasn’t even tiny, it was a decent-sized one, so it could have gone pear-shaped very quickly.”
The snake catcher said it was not common for snakes to venture inside homes, but that recent warm weather and an increase in nearby infrastructure may have led to the discovery under the cot.
“Lately, I’ve had five, six, maybe even more … snakes that have been removed from homes, underneath lounges, underneath beds,” Williams said.
“(With) all the infrastructure getting built, all the (snake) habitats are getting demolished.
“When habitats get knocked down, obviously the snakes move on.”
Williams said the best thing for anyone who spots a snake in their home or backyard to do, is immediately call a licensed snake catcher, and to keep a visual on the reptile from afar.
“Stay right away from it,” he said.
“If it’s a venomous snake, it’s going to lash out of fear, and that’s when stuff can go fatally wrong.”
