Warning after deadly discovery inside Aussie's gumboot
Experts are warning Australians to be vigilant this snake season.
Australians are being warned to check their shoes before putting them on after a snake catcher located a deadly brown snake inside a resident's gumboot.
Anthony Adams of Southern Downs Snake Catchers attended a property in Warwick, southwest of Brisbane, earlier this week after an eastern brown snake had been sighted inside the home.
After a search, the snake was eventually located inside a gumboot in the property's laundry.
Adams told Yahoo News Australia it can be more common than you'd think to find a snake inside your shoes, especially if they're left outside.
"They prefer small, closed hiding areas that are very compact spaces which they can get in and feel safe," he said.
And it comes at a time snakes are "more active" during the hotter months, Adams said, revealing he's been "pretty busy" as of late.
Why brown snake encounters are 'very dangerous'
Australian Reptile Park’s Billy Collett told Yahoo earlier this month those who've been bitten by brown snakes might not even realise it.
“An eastern brown bite can be literally painless which can make them very dangerous," he said.
Australia sees on average two snake deaths a year, with Mr Collett saying brown snake deaths account for 60 per cent of those. "[These deaths] are normally from someone trying to kill or capture the snake not trained in it," he said, reiterating the importance of allowing professionals to relocate snakes.
He said people who've come into contact with a brown snake to suspect they've been bitten to be safe.
"Even if you think you've not been bitten by a snake, put a bandage on. Go over the bite site three times, and work your way up the limb, immobilise and get yourself to hospital,” he explained, adding it was vital to do immediately to slow any venom down.
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