PINE RIVERS PRESS (Redcliffe, Australia) 21 September 13 Strathpine dad's shock as "harmless python" was deadly eastern brown (Bernie Dowling)
A Strathpine father-of-three was shocked when told an snake he believed to be a "harmless python" was in fact a deadly eastern brown.
Peter Kilpatrick, whose family lives near West Strathpine State School, had no idea the injured reptile he tried to help this week was the world's second most venomous snake.
He said the snake looked silver rather than brown. "I went on the internet and I couldn't find a match so I thought it was a harmless python," Mr Kilpatrick said.
The animal lover had been moving rubbish from his backyard and suspects the snake had lurked there before leaving the Rangeview St property, was hit on the road and returned.
Mr Kilpatrick moved within striking distance to cover the injured reptile and protect it from predators before phoning Warner snake relocator David Martin.
"The snake was dead by the time I got there," Mr Martin said. "Even so, Peter took a quick step backwards when I told him it was a full-grown eastern brown."
Mr Martin said eastern browns were not aggressive, by nature, but: "when they are injured they are very defensive," the snake expert said.
Mr Martin said he had moved two browns from Petrie properties recently but was surprised to find the snake "right in the middle of suburbia" in Strathpine.
"They are usually in suburbs on the fringe of bushland," Mr Martin said.
Mr Kilpatrick believes development at nearby Brendale had driven snakes into the surrounding area which includes Strathpine West State School.
Mr Martin said residents should visit snakecatchers.com to find the nearest licensed handler.
He said it was illegal to kill an Australian native snake and people should observe a snake from a safe distance while waiting for a relocator.
By law, snakes must be moved to within five kilometres of where they are found.
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