It's no secret that Australia is home to some of the deadliest creatures on Earth, and sometimes, these fearsome critters find themselves a little too close to our homes. Keeping a vigilant eye is essential, especially if curious grandchildren or much-loved pets are roaming the backyard.

In this vein, a Queensland family owes their potentially life-saving discovery to their ever-watchful pooch (or 'good doggo' as the family endearingly calls her) who sniffed out potential danger lurking in their backyard.

The dog in question, named Sun Sun, made a jaw-dropping find in the family's hose reel that could have easily ended in tragedy if it weren't for her keen senses.

Mere moments before the dog's discovery, it's hard to imagine that anyone would suspect the presence of a highly venomous red-bellied black snake tucked away inside the hose reel, especially during the night.

A Queensland family have their dog to thank after she made a deadly discovery in their backyard hose reel. Credit: Facebook.

A member of the Snake Identification Australia Facebook group shared photographs of the alarming discovery online. The person, a friend of the family, described the scene at the Kuranda home when the events unfolded.

'I was over at her house, and [Sun Sun] would not leave [the hose reel] alone,' they said.

'Kept going to it and pulling away.'

Thanks to Sun Sun's insistence, the family cautiously approached the hose reel to investigate her strange behaviour. In a comment on the post featuring the original story, a person who appears to be the homeowner praised Sun Sun, saying, 'Good Sun Sun keeping us safe.'

The friend agreed, noting their relief that no one was bitten. 'She is a good doggo, isn’t she,' they replied.

'Just glad none of you got bitten... all so close.'

After posting the story, an expert on the Facebook group identified the snake as a red-bellied black snake, and many commenters expressed their amazement at the close call that the family was lucky to have avoided.

Several amusing observations followed, with one person remarking, 'Imagine reeling that out, and you realise that's not a hose!'

Another joked about the possible reason the snake snuck into the hose reel, saying, 'Extreme water conservation measures.'

Others in the comments chimed in with their theories about why the snake might have chosen the hose reel as its hiding spot. Suggestions ranged from the snake following frogs—a popular meal for the red belly—to merely seeking shelter.

One commenter said, 'The manager of my hardware store calls these hose reels 'frog murder devices’. He says that people return them for not working and, when staff disassemble them, they are full of squished-up frogs.'

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland family's dog discovered a highly venomous red-bellied black snake hiding in their backyard hose reel.
• The family sensed something was wrong when the dog kept bothering the hose reel and pulling away from it.
• After the snake was identified, many people commented on how lucky the family was not to have been bitten.
• It is recommended to call a local snake catcher or wildlife rescuer if you see a snake in your area.

Tips for avoiding snake encounters in your backyard

While it's admirable when our canine companions can keep us safe, it's in the best interests of Aussie families to take a few proactive measures to minimise the risk of snake encounters in the backyard.

After all, leaving the safety of our loved ones to chance is simply not an option, and neither is turning our backs on our responsibilities.

Food and water sources attract snakes and their prey, which are mice, rats, and insects. Credit: Flickr.

The first tip that experts often suggest is maintaining a tidy yard. Clearing away piles of wood, leaves, or debris will reduce the number of hiding spots for snakes to take refuge in.

If you've got a bit of a green thumb and love your plants, consider adding a few snake-repelling species to your garden arsenal. Plants such as lemon-scented gum, marigolds, and lavender are widely considered to be particularly effective in deterring our slithery neighbours.

When it comes to our rubbish bins, it’s important to make sure they are sealed tightly and clean, eliminating potential food sources for snakes and their prey. Speaking of which, be sure to keep an eye on any pets you may have.

Remember, for snakes, a well-stocked pond or an untamed backyard menagerie means an all-you-can-eat buffet, and nobody wants that!

If this story teaches us anything, it's always to heed the instincts of our four-legged friends and to double-check our surroundings, especially when living in areas known for harbouring venomous creatures.

Should you ever find yourself in a situation where a snake has made its way into your property, calling a local snake catcher or a wildlife rescuer is always the best course of action. Stay safe out there, dear members!

 

[SGH]

There is a story on news.com.au about a brown snake that decided to take a timeout in the house owners bed, can't trust these little buggers. Don't forget to close your doors.

 

[Pommyoz]

Having overseas relatives stay with us, I literally had to frighten them into closing the screen door, or laundry door after using it. They said why? I replied because of the snakes, mice, rats, lizards and mozzies
etc., boy, didn't they suffer with bites and frights every time they went outside!! Never returned for a holiday.

 

[Jarred Santos]

There is a story on news.com.au about a brown snake that decided to take a timeout in the house owners bed, can't trust these little buggers. Don't forget to close your doors.

The bed? Why the fancy little buggers

Having overseas relatives stay with us, I literally had to frighten them into closing the screen door, or laundry door after using it. They said why? I replied because of the snakes, mice, rats, lizards and mozzies
etc., boy, didn't they suffer with bites and frights every time they went outside!! Never returned for a holiday.

I blame the drop bears for that