Shocking discovery Down Under: Snake's discovery in tight spots sparks electrical concerns
- Replies 3
Australians are no strangers to the presence of wildlife in their surroundings.
However, a recent discovery has underscored the potential dangers lurking in unsuspecting places.
As authorities work to address the situation, Australians are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in the face of such threats.
Authorities issued a warning after a red-bellied black snake, known for its potent venom, was found trapped inside an electrical box.
The snake was discovered by a snake catcher, tangled within the confines of a water pump box on a property in Ninderry on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
‘With cooler temperatures approaching, snakes and other reptiles are looking for somewhere warm to reside,’ a spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Office explained.
‘One place they may find is within the electrical switchboard of your home.’
The Electrical Safety Office emphasised the potential danger of such situations.
‘The snake may have damaged some of the electrical components in the switchboard that could place you at risk of electric shock,’ the spokesperson said.
This is a serious concern, as tampering with or touching the affected area could result in injury.
Daniel Busstra, affectionately known as Snake Catcher Dan, shared his belief that the snake ‘probably went into the water pump box looking for food’.
‘Which would make sense as to why it was thinner when it went in and why it was thicker and couldn’t get back out again,’ he pointed out.
‘There were probably frogs or rats or something living in there.’
‘So the snake has gone in, eaten what was in there and then it was too chunky to get back out again. You can see in the photo there’s a lot of damage to its scales. That’s where the snake panicked and got stuck and then freaked out because it couldn't get back out because of its fat belly and because the scales are pointed backwards,’ Mr Busstra added.
In a fortunate turn of events, the box in question was no longer in active use, enabling the snake catcher to remove the door and create a gap in the metal to safely extract the ‘very scared and defensive’ snake.
Due to numerous damaged scales, Mr Busstra hurried the snake to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where it was later confirmed that the red-bellied black snake was recovering well.
Mr Busstra noted that it's not rare for snakes and other reptiles to become ensnared in similar predicaments, such as bird netting or tight spaces, resulting in him being called to attend to such rescues about once a month.
‘They try weasel their head into something and they don’t realise that their body is too wide to get in it and because their scales are pointed a certain way, they can't pull their head back out again,’ he explained, uring residents to call for professional help in these situations.
‘Definitely don’t leave an animal to struggle. It doesn't matter what the creature is, it deserves to either be put out of its misery or taken to someone who can mend it back to good health and give it the right treatment it needs.’
‘For snakes, call a snake catcher, and don't get too close to it because a snake that’s trapped is going to be very scared and very defensive’ Mr Busstra added.
The Electrical Safety Office advised people who encounter a snake in their electrical switchboard not to panic but to take immediate and careful action.
The Electrical Safety Office spokesperson advised, ‘Secure the area and keep children, pets, and other family members away.’
‘Contact your preferred licensed electrical contractor and advise them of the presence of the snake and ask them to come and isolate the power.’
Residents were also encouraged to contact a licensed snake catcher and maintain visual contact with the reptile, from a secure distance, until the handler arrives, as the snake ‘could easily move to hard-to-find places’.
‘Once the snake has been removed, ask your preferred licensed electrical contractor to check the switchboard for any damage and safely turn the power back on,’ they said.
As Australians remain vigilant about the potential dangers of encountering snakes in unexpected places, recent incidents have underscored the importance of snake awareness and safety measures.
In one alarming event, a deadly red-bellied black snake was discovered in a precarious position, as a stark reminder of the risks these venomous reptiles pose.
With experts urging caution and prompt action in such situations, it's evident that snake encounters can occur in various settings, including the most unexpected ones.
This heightened awareness is crucial, as highlighted by the experiences shared by snake catchers, who have encountered deadly dangers lurking even in everyday items like footwear.
Have you ever had a close encounter with wildlife in an unusual place? What advice would you give to others in such situations? Share your experiences and suggestions with us in the comments below.
However, a recent discovery has underscored the potential dangers lurking in unsuspecting places.
As authorities work to address the situation, Australians are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety in the face of such threats.
Authorities issued a warning after a red-bellied black snake, known for its potent venom, was found trapped inside an electrical box.
The snake was discovered by a snake catcher, tangled within the confines of a water pump box on a property in Ninderry on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
‘With cooler temperatures approaching, snakes and other reptiles are looking for somewhere warm to reside,’ a spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Office explained.
‘One place they may find is within the electrical switchboard of your home.’
A deadly red-bellied black snake was discovered trapped in an electrical box in Queensland. Credits: Facebook / Snake Catcher Dan
The Electrical Safety Office emphasised the potential danger of such situations.
‘The snake may have damaged some of the electrical components in the switchboard that could place you at risk of electric shock,’ the spokesperson said.
This is a serious concern, as tampering with or touching the affected area could result in injury.
Daniel Busstra, affectionately known as Snake Catcher Dan, shared his belief that the snake ‘probably went into the water pump box looking for food’.
‘Which would make sense as to why it was thinner when it went in and why it was thicker and couldn’t get back out again,’ he pointed out.
‘There were probably frogs or rats or something living in there.’
‘So the snake has gone in, eaten what was in there and then it was too chunky to get back out again. You can see in the photo there’s a lot of damage to its scales. That’s where the snake panicked and got stuck and then freaked out because it couldn't get back out because of its fat belly and because the scales are pointed backwards,’ Mr Busstra added.
In a fortunate turn of events, the box in question was no longer in active use, enabling the snake catcher to remove the door and create a gap in the metal to safely extract the ‘very scared and defensive’ snake.
Due to numerous damaged scales, Mr Busstra hurried the snake to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where it was later confirmed that the red-bellied black snake was recovering well.
Mr Busstra noted that it's not rare for snakes and other reptiles to become ensnared in similar predicaments, such as bird netting or tight spaces, resulting in him being called to attend to such rescues about once a month.
‘They try weasel their head into something and they don’t realise that their body is too wide to get in it and because their scales are pointed a certain way, they can't pull their head back out again,’ he explained, uring residents to call for professional help in these situations.
‘Definitely don’t leave an animal to struggle. It doesn't matter what the creature is, it deserves to either be put out of its misery or taken to someone who can mend it back to good health and give it the right treatment it needs.’
‘For snakes, call a snake catcher, and don't get too close to it because a snake that’s trapped is going to be very scared and very defensive’ Mr Busstra added.
The Electrical Safety Office advised people who encounter a snake in their electrical switchboard not to panic but to take immediate and careful action.
The Electrical Safety Office spokesperson advised, ‘Secure the area and keep children, pets, and other family members away.’
‘Contact your preferred licensed electrical contractor and advise them of the presence of the snake and ask them to come and isolate the power.’
Residents were also encouraged to contact a licensed snake catcher and maintain visual contact with the reptile, from a secure distance, until the handler arrives, as the snake ‘could easily move to hard-to-find places’.
‘Once the snake has been removed, ask your preferred licensed electrical contractor to check the switchboard for any damage and safely turn the power back on,’ they said.
As Australians remain vigilant about the potential dangers of encountering snakes in unexpected places, recent incidents have underscored the importance of snake awareness and safety measures.
In one alarming event, a deadly red-bellied black snake was discovered in a precarious position, as a stark reminder of the risks these venomous reptiles pose.
With experts urging caution and prompt action in such situations, it's evident that snake encounters can occur in various settings, including the most unexpected ones.
This heightened awareness is crucial, as highlighted by the experiences shared by snake catchers, who have encountered deadly dangers lurking even in everyday items like footwear.
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