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Father's terrifying discovery inside children's toy box


A Melbourne snake catcher has warned parents the dangerous reptiles can “show up anywhere”.

Mark Pelley, known as The Snake Hunter, was called to a house in Preston, in Melbourne’s north, after a father playing with his children in the backyard made a terrifying discovery in their toy box ­– an eastern tiger snake.

“When they [opened] the toy box, the tiger snake popped its head out,” Mr Pelley said on Facebook.

“Had it bitten dad he would have about 25 minutes. Had it bit one of these two beautiful children could have less time.”

Snake Hunter Mark Pelley is seen trying to safely remove the reptile. Source: Dave Hall
Snake Hunter Mark Pelley is seen trying to safely remove the reptile. Source: Dave Hall

“The moral of the story is to always check before you put your hand anywhere and to teach your children the same thing as well.

“Luckily dad was very sensible. He pulled the children away, watched the snake from a safe distance and telephoned.

“I attended immediately and safely removed the snake from the toy box.”

Mr Pelley shared photos of the snake he caught, which he told Yahoo7 News was more than half a metre long, on Thursday about 6pm on social media.

Mr Pelley is seen here holding up the potentially deadly snake. Source: Dave Hall
Mr Pelley is seen here holding up the potentially deadly snake. Source: Dave Hall

“It was trying its hardest to escape from me. Once I captured it, it became bitey,” he said.

The snake has venom with “powerful neurotoxins, myotoxins, haemolysins and toxins which effect blood coagulation”, according to Mr Pelley.

“A bite causes severe pain – you can feel sick, like nausea – and late symptoms include collapse, convulsions, paralysis or death if left long enough,” he told Yahoo7 News.

“This can happen in a space of 25 minutes.”

Mr Pelley stressed that anyone who sees a snake should move away from it as quickly as possible.

Mr Pelley with the eastern tiger snake and the two children of the Preston dad. Source: Dave Hall
Mr Pelley with the eastern tiger snake and the two children of the Preston dad. Source: Dave Hall

“Do not stand still, and do not try and pick it up and kill it,” he said.

Mr Pelley advised people to call their closest snake catcher in this case.

But if bitten, “immediately move away, keep others away because it can bite again. Dial 000 … it is a life or death situation”.

“Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, which restricts the venom flow through the lymphatic system and now you’ve got up to six hours if applied properly,” Mr Pelley said.

“Call your closest snake catcher to attend so you don’t put others at risk. You will need to go to hospital.”

Visit www.snakehunter.com.au or The Snake Hunter Facebook page for more information.