Australian David Stein was busy moving a pile of mulch in his garden when he discovered a group of about six snakes piled on top of each other before giving birth. That’s when he called in snake catcher Dylan Cooper, who bagged up five adults and 97 babies from the Sydney garden. Two of the adults gave birth to 29 snakes in the bag while the clean-up was still ongoing. Reptile Relocation Sydney owner Cory Kerewaro said the highest number of snakes his company had dealt with to that point was 30 non-venomous carpet pythons they removed. Unlike most snakes that hatch eggs, red-belly blacks — the type of snake that was inhabiting Stein’s garden — give birth to actual snakes. The species normally has litters of between 4 and 35 young. Snake expert and author Scott Eipper said the snakes might have grouped together for safety or due to a shortage of suitable habitats to give birth. The snakes have started a new life in an undisclosed national park after authorities granted permission for them to be released. Stein is just happy they didn’t make his garden their permanent home.
