Last October in Vale View, a quiet rural community in Queensland, Australia, a homeowner noticed an unexpected visitor slipping through her yard: an eastern brown snake. The reptile was doing its best to avoid the woman’s ducks and chickens, who were enthusiastically chasing it through the brush.
She thought that would be the end of it.
Later that day, while cleaning her bathroom, the woman caught a glimpse of brown movement near the doorway. When she turned around, her stomach dropped. The same snake had made its way inside — and it was now blocking her only exit.
Acting fast, she slammed the bathroom door shut. Thankfully, she had her phone with her. From behind the closed door, she called Gunter Glaser, a professional snake handler and owner of Snake Catcher Darling Downs 24/7.
It was the smartest move she could have made. Eastern brown snakes are among the most dangerous snakes in Australia. According to the Australian Museum, they’re responsible for more snakebite-related deaths than any other species in the country — often because people try to handle or harm them instead of calling an expert.
Investigating the situation, Glaser determined that the snake likely entered the house through a small hole left behind after recent plumbing work. Once inside, the snake panicked, slithering through the house in search of a way out. By the time Glaser arrived, the frightened reptile had taken refuge in the laundry room.
“He was very scared and reared up at me at first,” Glaser told The Dodo. “But then he settled down.”
With calm precision, Glaser safely secured the snake in a dark bag. He then transported him to a safe, suitable location far away from homes and released him back into the wild.
Finally free, the snake disappeared into the brush — likely just as relieved to be away from people as the woman was to have her bathroom back.
To follow more of Glaser’s rescues, you can find Snake Catcher Darling Downs 24/7 on Facebook.
