Current:Home > MyVenomous snake found lurking in child's bed, blending in with her stuffed animals -CapitalCourse
Venomous snake found lurking in child's bed, blending in with her stuffed animals
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:12:01
It is the stuff of nightmares. A family in Australia realized one of the stuffed animals on their young daughter's bed was not actually a toy — it was a real and highly venomous snake. The red-bellied black snake slithered onto the unicorn-themed bed in Jimboomba, Queensland, and tried to blend in with some toys — but it couldn't hide for long.
A snake catcher with Snake Catchers Brisbane and Gold Coast responded to the home to remove the snake, and video of the capture has gone viral. After picking up the snake with a tool and his bare hands, the catcher allowed the reptile to slither its way into a bag.
Red-bellied black snakes, which are black with brown noses and red stomachs, are common in eastern Australia, and while they are venomous, they are probably the least dangerous elapid snake on the continent, according to The Australian Museum.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by CBS News (@cbsnews)
While very few red-bellied black snake bites have been reported, and very few bites have lead to death, the museum says bites should be treated seriously, since individual reactions to venom can vary. Typically, a bite will cause bleeding or swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and other symptoms.
These snakes will often freeze when approached and then try to flee, experts say. But if they can't escape, they might hiss, make mock strikes, or lash out if bothered. If they do attack, they can even latch on and "chew savagely" the museum says.
Australians are no strangers to wild and potentially dangerous animals — in some cases found lurking in their homes. Earlier this year, one family spotted a dangerous eastern brown snake in the underwear drawer of their 3-year-old son. The highly venomous snake was removed by local pest control specialist Mark Pelley, known to as "The Snake Hunter."
Pelley said the snake likely got into the house when the boy's mother took the clothing in from a line outside, and got into the drawer when she was folding clothes.
- In:
- Australia
- Snake
Caitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.
veryGood! (92489)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Virginia-based tech firm settles allegations over whites-only job listing
- Prosecutors in Bob Menendez trial can't use evidence they say is critical to case, judge rules
- Reno police officer who accidentally shot suspect pulled trigger when hit by another officer’s Taser
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- What is Manhattanhenge and when can you see it?
- Mayorkas says some migrants try to game the U.S. asylum system
- The 40 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month: Bracelets, Garbage Disposal Cleaner & More
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Rapper Sean Kingston agrees to return to Florida, where he and mother are charged with $1M in fraud
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Horoscopes Today, May 28, 2024
- Father and son drown as dad attempted to save him at Lake Anna in Virginia, police say
- Papua New Guinea landslide killed more than 670 people, UN migration agency estimates
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Appeals court upholds retired NYPD officer’s 10-year prison sentence for Capitol riot attack
- European-Japanese climate research satellite launched from California aboard SpaceX rocket
- Most AAPI adults think history of racism should be taught in schools, AP-NORC poll finds
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Nikki Reed Provides a Rare Look at Her and Ian Somerhalder’s Life on the Farm With Their 2 Kids
Train's Pat Monahan on the 'tough' period before success, new song 'Long Yellow Dress'
US consumer confidence rises in May after three months of declines
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager can't stop giggling about hot rodent boyfriend trend on 'Today'
Jimmy Kimmel's son Billy, 7, undergoes third open-heart surgery
22 are dead across the US after weekend tornadoes. More storms may be in store