Venomous Red-Bellied Black Snake Found Lurking Inside Man's Washing Machine

A venomous snake was captured and relocated from a laundry room in Australia this week after slithering into a man's washing machine.

Footage of the encounter was uploaded to Facebook today by Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers owner Stuart McKenzie, who said he attended the call-out at a property in Golden Beach, a suburb in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland.

Like many of his posts, it quickly attracted hundreds of reactions from fans of the social media account, which regularly documents the team's removal services.

"You wouldn't believe it but there was a red-bellied black snake in the laundry, chilling on top of the windowsill, so anybody who tells you venomous snakes can't climb they are wrong," McKenzie said, as the snake's head popped out from the appliance.

The experienced catcher could be seen grasping the snake's body in an attempt to pull it from the washing machine. After a brief struggle, the reptile made its own way out of the bottom and onto the floor, where it was scooped up and bagged.

"The gentleman who owned the property in Golden Beach certainly got a big surprise when he first saw the red-bellied black snake on the windowsill in the laundry," wrote McKenzie in a caption under the clip, which ended with the snake's release.

"Just shows that venomous snakes can certainly climb. He took a while to get out and it was a little sketchy but I got there in the end. A very healthy little snake!"

A fact-sheet on the species published by Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers says that the red-bellied black snake is venomous to humans, but not always aggressive. They are commonly found in suburbs in the region. While they tend to be shy, if they will react if threatened. "A bite from this species should be treated immediately and attended to with correct first aid. They have a fearsome reputation which is simply over exaggerated," they company said.

The Australian Museum says they are responsible "for a number of bites every year," but typically only deliver serious bites when they feel under severe distress.

On October 2, McKenzie released shocking footage showing a "huge" red-bellied black snake curled up inside a children's toy basket full of toys and dolls.

He noted the kids were "so lucky" not to have been bitten by the long reptile, which had remained calm. McKenzie estimated it was "three or four fingers thick." He commented: "When I arrived and saw this situation it actually sent a shiver down my spine."

In a more comical video this week, another snake catcher working along the reptile-filled coastal region, Luke Huntley, showed his own red-bellied black snake named Russell pouring out from a cereal box. He commented: "Making breakfast in Australia."