THE MERCURY (Hobart, Australia) 13 December 07 Jelly the moggy collars a killer (Tim Martain)
Photo at URL below : Nine-year-old Jelly may want to change her name to Lucky after surviving a close encounter with a copperhead snake yesterday. She spent some time with the snake wrapped around her neck and lived to tell the tale. (Wendy Wallis)
Jelly the miracle cat only has eight lives left after a frightening close encounter with a deadly copperhead snake.
Owner Wendy Wallis was outside playing with her children in their Sorell garden on Tuesday when the nine-year-old family pet wandered in through the gate from a paddock.
"At first I thought she had a bird in her mouth, but then I realised it was a snake wrapped twice around her neck and knotted under her chin," Mrs Wallis said yesterday.
It was the first time she had seen a snake on her property, although her neighbours said they spotted several each year.
Mrs Wallis took a photo of Jelly and the snake through a glass door but did not open it.
"We called the Reptile Rescue people and the guy held the snake's head with a set of special tongs while he held the tail and unwrapped it from Jelly's neck," she said.
Although Jelly showed no signs of having been bitten at first, by yesterday morning she was very sick.
"When we woke up we found her completely paralysed so we rushed her to the vet," Mrs Wallis said.
Montrose Veterinary Centre vet Andrew Nicholson said cats often avoided a full dose of snake venom in such encounters because of their speed.
"Often ... the bite only glances off the skin or their coat dulls the bite to just a scratch," he said.
Because of drier than normal conditions, snakes are on the move much earlier than usual this year.
Jelly is still at the veterinary clinic being treated with expensive anti-venom and other medications, but is expected to make a full recovery.
"It's the first snake I've ever seen in my life," said a still-shaken Mrs Wallis.
"We have four boys so if there are any more snakes around I hope we find them before the kids do."
If you encounter a snake call Reptile Rescue on 0407 565 181.
Jelly the moggy collars a killer