Unprecedented Venomous Snake Rescue in Sydney Backyard

In a surprising turn of events, a backyard in Sydney became the site of a record snake rescue, as reptile handlers retrieved 102 venomous snakes, primarily red-bellied black snakes, after a dog was bitten. All snakes will be relocated to a national park.

In an extraordinary incident in Sydney, reptile handlers from Reptile Relocation Sydney made a shocking discovery while responding to a report about a snake bite that had affected a dog. Cory Kerewaro, a handler, recounted how their team was called to the scene, only to uncover a staggering 102 venomous snakes nestled within a mound of mulch in the backyard.

Initial reports indicated that just “a bunch” of snakes were present, but upon arrival, Kerewaro’s colleague found 40 red-bellied black snakes—a species known to be one of Australia's most prevalent yet non-lethal to humans. The situation escalated when four of these adult snakes were found to have given birth to an impressive 97 baby snakes, adding to the already remarkable haul.

The incident occurred on Boxing Day, and Kerewaro noted with disbelief that a colleague, Dylan Cooper, was quickly overwhelmed by the number of snakes present. "Within 15 minutes, he called me to say: 'Mate, I'm going to be here a while. It's a pretty big pile... I'm already over 15 snakes!' I thought he was stitching me up," Kerewaro said.

Now quarantined, the rescued snakes will eventually be relocated to a national park when conditions are more favorable. Red-bellied black snakes possess a shy disposition, and while they are venomous, documented bites are rare. Such bites can result in swelling and gastrointestinal issues.

The Australian Museum highlights the unique reproductive behavior of female red-bellied black snakes, which tend to congregate in groups for giving birth—an adaptation believed to deter potential predators. As the snake handlers normally deal with five to 15 reptiles daily, this record-breaking retrieval exemplifies the unexpected challenges and surprises they face in their line of work. Under legal regulations, the snake handlers are required to release these snakes in proximity to their original habitat; however, due to the extraordinary circumstances, special permission has been granted for their relocation to a more secure, human-free environment in the national park.