When Australians discover snakes in their homes or workplaces, they often contact a snake catcher to safely remove the reptile. A recent call from a business in Newcastle resulted in a remarkable find. The snake catcher, Geoff Delooze, a subcontractor for Newcastle and Hunter Animal Control, was astonished when he retrieved a venomous red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) hiding behind an air conditioning unit. This was no ordinary snake; it measured two meters in length and was notably heavy and fat, estimated to be around 20 years old.
Delooze expressed his amazement, noting the snake’s ability to consume an eastern brown snake—one of the deadliest species—of similar size. He emphasized his opposition to killing snakes, stating, ‘I’m just glad he hasn’t had harm come to him. They’re like any other pet or animal… it has its place.’ He also revealed that 90% of Australians kill snakes upon encounter, despite it being illegal, and highlighted that this particular snake had learned to avoid humans. Delooze later released the snake into bushland outside the city. The red-bellied black snake is native to eastern Australia and commonly found in urban areas along the east coast, including forests, woodlands, plains, and bushlands. Its diet consists of other snakes, such as the eastern brown snake, as well as frogs, small mammals, and even its own species. Read More The Tiger Snake of Australia Aussie Teen Bitten By Inland Taipan Snake The World’s Deadliest Snakes John B. Virata keeps a ball python, two corn snakes, a king snake, and two leopard geckos. His first snake, a California kingsnake, was purchased at the Pet Place in Westminster, CA for $5.
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