Over 100 Venomous Snakes Discovered in Australian Backyard, Including 97 Newborns

More than 100 venomous black snakes found in Sydney yard

A Sydney homeowner was left shocked after finding more than 100 red-bellied black snakes hiding in a mulch pile in his backyard—an encounter he described as giving him “the shudders.”

Reptile Relocation Sydney, an animal rescue service, responded to the call and removed a total of 102 venomous snakes from the property. The majority of them—97 in total—were newborns, seemingly born in the backyard from several adult red-bellied black snakes.

In a lighthearted post on Facebook, the rescue group wrote, "101 Dalmatians? How about 102 redbellies!" along with a video showing a tangled mass of writhing snakes.

According to the rescue team, homeowners in Horsley Park, a Sydney suburb, reached out after noticing the reptiles slithering in and out of a patch of mulch over a two-week period. While red-bellied black snakes are venomous, their bites are rarely fatal to humans. The University of the Sunshine Coast notes that these snakes are generally non-aggressive and only strike if they feel endangered. Additionally, Australia has no recorded deaths from their bites.

Red-bellied black snakes are common throughout eastern Australia and are most active in spring during their breeding season, according to the Australian Museum. It is not unusual for multiple females to give birth at the same location, which seems to have happened in this particular case.

Initially, Reptile Relocation Sydney anticipated finding only four snakes, but within minutes, they realized the situation was far more extreme.

"Snake after snake, they just kept being uncovered," the group said. "Long story short, we expected to remove four adults but ended up with 102 snakes—97 newborn redbellies and five adults."

The world’s most venomous snakes are native to Australia

Australia is home to many of the world’s most venomous snakes. In fact, the country has some of the deadliest species on the planet, including:

• Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) – Considered the most venomous snake in the world, its venom is extremely potent, capable of killing a human within hours if untreated.
• Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) – Responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia due to its aggressive nature and highly toxic venom.
• Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) – A fast-moving and highly venomous snake found in northern Australia.
• Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) – Found in southern Australia, its venom affects the nervous system and blood clotting.
• Death Adder (Acanthophis spp.) – Known for its ambush hunting style, it delivers a potent neurotoxic venom.

Despite the presence of these deadly snakes, fatalities are rare due to widespread access to antivenom and effective medical treatment. Most snakes prefer to avoid humans and will only bite when threatened.