Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Snake catchers on an Australian island were initially surprised and confused when they were called to capture a venomous snake hundreds of miles from its native range.
Ryan Fuller and Dimity Maxfield of Snake Rescue Sunshine Coast said they were sent a photo of a snake spotted in a Bribie Island resident's yard and were surprised to find it was an orange and red Collett's snake.
The species is native to western Queensland, hundreds of miles away from the island.
"We were so excited," Fuller told Sunshine Coast News. "We've never seen a Collett's snake in real life before, let alone been able to handle one."
Fuller said the highly venomous snake was likely either an escaped pet or a wild animal that hitched a ride in an oblivious traveler's vehicle.
