Sydney man finds red belly black snake inside his shoe prompting a warning from snake handlers
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Terrifying find in man’s shoe prompts urgent warning about a common act nearly all Australians do: ‘Yikes’
- A Sydney man found a red-bellied black snake inside his shoe
- Snake handlers recommend storing shoes above the ground
A man got the shock of his life when he discovered one of Australia’s most venomous snakes in his shoe, as snake keepers warn Australians not to leave their shoes lying around.
The man found a red-bellied black snake coiled inside his black shoe at his home in Austral, southwest of Sydney.
The reptile was almost completely camouflaged due to its color, and the man was only alerted to the reptile’s presence due to its distinctive red underbelly.
Handlers at Reptile Relocation Sydney were able to safely remove the snake from the man’s home.
They then shared photos of the reptile hidden inside the shoe on their Facebook page.
A Sydney man was shocked when he discovered a red-bellied black snake inside his shoe.
‘No es Cenicienta, es sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssats propias mismas que que a Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssup. said snake catcher Cory Kerewaro.
“It’s always good to keep shoes stored on a shelf, off the floor, to reduce the risk of this happening again.”
One social media follower wrote: ‘NO MORE SHOES OUTSIDE!’
‘Those shoes have got to go,’ another commented.
“Very wise to choose a new shoe,” added a third.
Another said: I would stop leaving your shoes in front of you.
Handlers at Reptile Relocation Sydney have already removed several red-bellied black snakes from homes across Sydney since the beginning of the year.
One was recently found outside a petstock in Gregory Hills, another was taken from a home in Wilton, one was discovered behind a refrigerator in a unit in Cronulla and a fourth was hidden behind a pipe on a Camden property.
Eight snakes were removed at a site in Minto throughout January by handlers from Reptile Relocation Sydney.
Red-bellied black snakes are commonly found along the eastern coast of Australia. They carry a powerful poison that attacks the blood and muscles (archive image)
Red-bellied black snakes are commonly found along the eastern coast of Australia.
They get their name from their distinctive black bodies and red bellies.
The snake carries a potent venom that attacks the blood and muscles.
Their breeding season occurs during the spring, which is when they are most active in Australia.
Snakes are typically less active in the summer, but can still be found outside of properties, sometimes basking in the sun.