Snake survives after squeezing through 50mm toilet pipe
A venomous red-bellied black snake squeezed through a 50mm pipe and emerged in a Sydney family's toilet.
A 1.5-metre red-bellied black snake entered a southwest Sydney home through the sewerage line and toilet, forcing the family to call snake catcher Daniel May. The snake survived the tight squeeze through the narrow pipe but was stressed and injured by the journey.
May and his wife monitored the snake for a couple of days to check it was well. It was prepared for release on Wednesday.
The incident comes as reptile activity increases across Sydney as spring weather approaches summer. Snakes emerge from winter sleep into breeding season.
May is currently receiving as many as six calls a day to catch and remove snakes. He expects that number to reach ten daily in coming weeks.
He advised keeping yards clean, securing pets indoors when possible, and giving snakes space to move away.
- 1.5 metres
- Snake length
- 50mm
- Pipe diameter
- 6 per day currently
- Snake catcher calls
- Rossmore, southwest Sydney
- Location
Why it mattersAs reptile activity spikes in spring, Sydney households face a higher risk of snakes entering homes through unexpected entry points, and knowing how to respond safely is critical.
AustraliaSydney families entering warmer months should expect more snake encounters and check sewerage access points; snake catchers warn that next month will be peak season.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
