A Venomous Welcome: How a Sydney Homeowner Found 102 Snakes in His Garden

Living in Australia often means embracing the unique wildlife that comes with it. For one homeowner in Sydney, this meant encountering not just one, two, or even a dozen snakes—but a staggering 102 snakes in his backyard. The discovery left David Stein, the homeowner, shocked and the local community buzzing. This extraordinary incident shed light on the intriguing world of reptiles and the challenges of sharing a home with wildlife.

The Homeowner’s Discovery

David Stein first noticed the slithery creatures in a pile of mulch in his backyard in Horsley Park, a suburb about 20 miles west of Sydney’s city center. Initially, he spotted what he thought was a small group—about six snakes. But as he returned with a camera to capture evidence, the snakes had already burrowed back into the mulch. “It was terrifying,” Stein recounted during an interview with the “Sunrise” morning show. Little did he know, the situation was far more extensive than he imagined.

Over the next couple of days, the snakes reorganized into two separate piles on the mulch, prompting Stein and his wife to dig deeper into the mystery. After some research, they learned that female red-bellied black snakes often gather in groups when they are about to give birth. This realization sent alarm bells ringing, as it suggested that the number of snakes could escalate rapidly. Fearing for their safety, Stein contacted Reptile Relocation Sydney, a professional snake-catching service, to investigate further.

The Snake Catcher’s Unexpected Haul

Enter Dylan Cooper, a snake catcher from Reptile Relocation Sydney, who arrived at Stein’s property to assess the situation. What Cooper uncovered was unlike anything he—or Stein—could have anticipated. Digging through the mulch pile, Cooper discovered a total of 102 snakes, including five adult females and 97 newborns. Cory Kerewaro, the owner of Reptile Relocation Sydney, described the scene as “pretty bizarre” and emphasized just how rare it is to witness such a large gathering of snakes in one place.

The process of removing the snakes was neither quick nor easy. It took Cooper a painstaking three hours to carefully extract all the reptiles from the mulch. The snakes were then placed into specialized bags for safe transport. In a surprising twist, one of the pregnant females even gave birth to additional newborns inside the removal bag, adding to the already impressive count.

The Unusual Gathering of Red-Bellied Black Snakes

Red-bellied black snakes, a species native to eastern Australia, are known to be venomous and highly adaptable. While they are commonly found in urban areas, their behavior in this case was anything but ordinary. According to Kerewaro, female red-bellied black snakes often congregate in safe, warm locations to give birth, but witnessing such a mass gathering is extremely rare. “It’s never really been seen,” Kerewaro remarked, highlighting the uniqueness of the situation.

The fact that Stein had inadvertently provided the perfect environment for these snakes—by piling mulch to protect his trees—likely contributed to their decision to congregate in his garden. The mulch offered warmth and shelter, creating an ideal spot for the snakes to nest. Stein’s initial horror at the sight of the reptiles soon turned into a mix of fascination and relief as he watched the professionals at work.

A Timely Intervention

Stein’s decision to act quickly proved to be a smart move. Kerewaro explained that if the homeowner had delayed calling for help, the snakes would have likely dispersed into the surrounding neighborhood, creating a much larger problem. “They’d just been born and were ready to venture out into the world,” Kerewaro said, noting that the timing of Stein’s call was impeccable.

The removal operation not only saved Stein from the stress of living alongside such dangerous creatures but also ensured the snakes were relocated to a more appropriate environment—a national park. This outcome was a win-win situation, protecting both the homeowner and the reptiles.

Aftermath and Reflection

The incident left Stein with mixed emotions. While he admitted that the experience had been “exciting to watch,” he was undeniably relieved once the snakes were gone. The episode served as a stark reminder of the unique challenges that come with living in Australia, where encounters with wildlife are not uncommon.

For Stein, the ordeal has likely left a lasting impression. It also highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the wildlife that shares our spaces—a lesson that many Australians learn early on. While he may have been shaken by the discovery, the professional handling of the situation brought him peace of mind.

As for the snakes, they are now safely relocated, free to thrive in their natural habitat. And as for Stein, he’ll likely be keeping a closer eye on his mulch piles in the future.