102 Snakes Found in Sydney Garden

Homeowner Shocked as Snake Catcher Unearths Over 100 Snakes in Mulch Pile

Living in Australia often means accepting the occasional encounter with snakes on your property, but one Sydney homeowner got far more than he bargained for when a shocking discovery unfolded in his backyard. What started as the sighting of a few snakes quickly turned into a startling situation involving over a hundred of the slithery reptiles.

David Stein, a resident of Horsley Park, a suburb about 20 miles from the heart of Sydney, had recently spread mulch around his trees to help keep them healthy. While tending to his yard, he noticed some movement in the mulch pile and spotted a few snakes. Concerned about their presence and potential danger, he decided to call Reptile Relocation Sydney to investigate further.

When snake catcher Dylan Cooper arrived on the scene, what seemed like a small issue soon revealed itself to be a massive one. By the time Cooper was done carefully digging through the mulch pile, he had uncovered a total of 102 snakes—five adult red-bellied black snakes and a staggering 97 newborns. The discovery was both extraordinary and alarming, as explained by Reptile Relocation Sydney owner Cory Kerewaro.

“Red-bellied black snakes are venomous, and the females are known to gather together to give birth,” Kerewaro explained. However, witnessing the collective birth of such a large number of snakes in one location is extremely rare. “It’s never really been seen,” he added. “It’s pretty bizarre.”

The unusual discovery didn’t end there. One of the pregnant females that had been removed from the mulch pile gave birth to even more snakes while inside the removal bag. The process of carefully locating and removing all the snakes took Cooper nearly three hours, but it was critical to act quickly. According to Kerewaro, the snakes were just about ready to venture out into the world. “He got us at the right time,” Kerewaro said of Stein’s timely call. “Had we delayed, the snakes would have dispersed throughout the neighborhood.”

Stein shared his experience on the “Sunrise” morning show, recounting the moments leading up to the discovery. “I saw a pile of snakes on the mulch pile… which gave me the shivers,” he said. “By the time I got my camera to take a photo, they had already gone back into the mulch.” Initially, Stein believed there were only six snakes and admitted the realization of how many were truly there was both “terrifying” and surreal.

The situation escalated a few days later when Stein noticed the snakes had relocated to different parts of the mulch in two separate piles. Alarmed, he and his wife did some research online and learned that female red-bellied black snakes often congregate to give birth. This led Stein to contact Reptile Relocation Sydney without delay.

While the experience was nerve-wracking, Stein acknowledged it was also fascinating to witness. “It was exciting to watch the whole thing unfold,” he admitted, though he also expressed immense relief once the snakes were gone. “I feel good now they’re no longer on my property.”

The captured snakes have since been relocated to a national park, where they can thrive in a natural habitat away from human dwellings. According to Kerewaro, red-bellied black snakes play an important role in controlling rodent populations, making their relocation a win-win for both the environment and local residents.

Stein’s story serves as a reminder of the unique challenges of living in Australia, where encounters with wildlife are part of the landscape. It also underscores the importance of professional intervention when dealing with potentially dangerous animals. For Stein and his family, the swift action of the snake catchers brought peace of mind—and ensured that this incredible tale of 102 snakes has a safe and happy ending.