When a woman in Queensland, Australia, went to change her bed sheets on Monday, March 20, she discovered a deadly 6-foot eastern brown snake in her bed.
The snake catcher who was called to the scene, Zachery Richards, told Newsweek that while she waited for him, she “shut up the room” and “put a towel underneath the door.”
That, according to Richards, is precisely what she should have done.
“If you see a snake, back away slowly, leave it alone, confine it to a single room, and call a professional,” he says.
Eastern brown snakes have “the unfortunate distinction of causing more snake bite deaths in Australia than any other species of snake.”
“Anyone suspected of being bitten by an Eastern Brown Snake should seek medical attention immediately,” the Australian Museum advised.
Fortunately, when Richards arrived at the woman’s house, he discovered the snake had stayed in the same spot and was “having a snooze.”
In terms of why the snake came inside, Richards told Newsweek that “it was quite a hot day,” so the reptile “probably came inside looking for some shelter.”
After being apprehended, the snake was returned to its natural habitat: outdoors, a safe distance from its human neighbours.
Richards then posted a photo of the reptile on social media.
“Make sure you check the bed carefully tonight!” he wrote.
