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'That's a funny looking extension chord': Snake dangles just inches from child's pillow

Queensland parents got a huge shock this week, when a brown-coloured snake was found dangling just inches from their daughter's bed.

Snake catcher Tony Harrison was called to the Beechmont, west of the Gold Coast, home at about 12.15am on Monday by the family.

He has described the incident as "a little disturbing".

A video posted to Mr Harrison's YouTube channel shows the reptile, identified as a brown tree snake, coiled around a nightlight which is positioned just above the girl's pillow.

The snake was looped around a nightlight. Source: Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher/ Facebook.
The snake was looped around a nightlight. Source: Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher/ Facebook.

In the footage the snake's tail was dangling just a few inches above the bed.

"If you don't know anything about snakes it would scare the living daylights out of you," Tony Harrison told 7 News online.

Mr Harrison's partner Brooke Smith went inside the family home to recover the snake so they could get some sleep.

"That's a funny looking extension chord," she said when she spotted its tail poking out from under the light.

Ms Smith then tried to retrieve it the snake, but at first it slipped away, slithering down behind the bed.

"They're a little bit venomous but they're not going to kill ya," Ms Smith can be heard saying after confirming it was in fact a brown tree snake.

The snake slipped down under the bed. Source: Tony Harrison/ YouTube
The snake slipped down under the bed. Source: Tony Harrison/ YouTube

The snake does not seem happy about being moved, squirming around, attempting to wriggle out of Ms Smith's grip and bite her a number of times before being safely placed into the bag.

Tony Harrison told 7 News online, "They're a very fiery snake ... it took six of seven swings at Brooke."

Mr Harrison described brown tree snakes as
Mr Harrison described brown tree snakes as

Mr Harrison said the snake's fangs are at the back of their mouth so when they bite they chew.

But he also added their venom is extremely mild.

The snake was resisting being put into the bag. Source: Tony Harrison/ YouTube
The snake was resisting being put into the bag. Source: Tony Harrison/ YouTube

The Australian Reptile Park website said: "Brown tree snakes are notorious for their bad temper and will strike repeatedly if they feel threatened".

"They are venomous but the fangs are at the back of the mouth so only a very large snake would be able to inject venom into a human."

The snakes are commonly between 1.5 and 1.8 metres long, according to the site.

News break - January 5