As Australians, we're no strangers to the odd backyard critter, but imagine the shock of finding one of the world's deadliest snakes curled up in your lawnmower! That's exactly what happened to one unsuspecting homeowner in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, when they discovered an eastern brown snake—a creature with venom potent enough to knock your socks off—taking refuge in their old mower.

Troy Hovenden, affectionately known as The Reptile Bloke, received an urgent call on December 30 and arrived at the property within a mere 10 minutes. His mission? To safely relocate the eastern brown, which is ranked as the second most venomous land snake globally.


The snake catcher's expertise was evident as he identified the snake by the distinctive yellow spots on its underbelly—a telltale sign of the eastern brown. In a heart-pounding video posted to his Facebook page, viewers can watch as Hovenden skillfully extracts the wriggling serpent from its mechanical hideout and secures it in his bag, all within the span of 90 seconds. It's a reminder that even in the most mundane of places, danger can lurk.


'I have had one other instance personally that I can remember where a snake got inside a lawn mower,' Hovenden shared. 'It does happen from time to time; it's a good place for them to hide and feel safe, so it's definitely something to be aware of.'


The eastern brown snake is not only highly venomous but also incredibly fast and known for its aggressive nature when cornered. This is why only experienced snake handlers must attempt to remove these reptiles if they're spotted in or around your home.

After the successful capture, Hovenden found a suitable location to release the snake back into the wild, far from human habitation, ensuring the safety of both the snake and the local residents.

This incident serves as a stark reminder to all of us, especially those of us who enjoy pottering around in the garden or have a shed full of old equipment. Snakes, seeking shelter and a quiet place to rest, can easily find their way into the nooks and crannies of our outdoor belongings.


So, what can you do to avoid a slithery surprise? Regularly maintain and check your garden tools and machinery, especially if they've been out of use for a while. Keep grass and shrubbery trimmed to reduce the appeal of your garden as a hiding spot for snakes. And most importantly, if you do encounter a snake, keep a safe distance and call a professional to handle the situation.
Have you ever had a close encounter with a snake in your garden or home? How did you handle it? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's remind each other of the importance of staying vigilant and safe in our beautiful, yet sometimes wild, Australian outdoors.