Look: Venomous snake found hundreds of miles from native range

Sept. 17 (UPI) — Snake catchers on an Australian island were initially surprised and confused when they were called to capture a venomous snake hundreds of miles from its native range.

Ryan Fuller and Dimity Maxfield of Snake Rescue Sunshine Coast said they were sent a photo of a snake spotted in a Bribie Island resident’s yard and were surprised to find it was an orange and red Collett’s snake.

The species is native to western Queensland, hundreds of miles away from the island.

“We were so excited,” Fuller told Sunshine Coast News. “We’ve never seen a Collett’s snake in real life before, let alone been able to handle one.”

Fuller said the highly venomous snake was likely either an escaped pet or a wild animal that hitched a ride in an oblivious traveler’s vehicle.

Snake Rescue Sunshine Coast later said on social media that the snake was indeed an escaped pet and its owner had been identified.

“We have been in contact with the owner and are now sorting all the necessary paper work,” the post said.