Video shows venomous snake’s angry reaction to being snatched from pipe in Australia

Eastern brown snakes are among the most venomous snakes in the world, and video recorded by an Australian snake catcher proves they also have a deserved reputation for irritability.

Brandon Gifford intentionally approached the snake in an awkward moment, with only its tail sticking out of a drain pipe in someone’s driveway, the video shows.

His plan was to sneak up on it, yank it from the pipe and slip it into a bag for transport to a wilderness area.

However, what follows in the video is a series of close calls, as the snake whips around to bite Gifford and his cloth bag.

This includes an impressive bit of acrobatics, as it shoots straight up out of the bag.

“He’s going to be a bit heated up. He’s been basking,” Gifford says.

The snake’s removal was necessary after a teenage girl nearly stepped on it in the driveway, according to Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7.

The video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times on Facebook and gotten nearly 6,500 reactions and comments as of Oct. 24. Some have called Gifford “absolutely crazy” while others marveled the snake was filmed sliding backwards out of the pipe.

“I was always under the impression snakes couldn’t move backwards. I’m glad I saw this video!” Amanda Rean wrote on Facebook.

“I yelled when it came out,” Philip Hankin wrote on Facebook.

“Hard pass from me. That’s a hard way to make a living,” Sandra Elizabeth Cooper posted.

Eastern brown snakes, averaging about 5 feet in length, are known for “putting on a fierce display” and biting without hesitation, the Australian Museum reports.

“The venom of an eastern brown snake contains a cocktail of poisons. The most powerful ingredient is a neurotoxin, which paralyses the nerves of the heart, lungs and diaphragm, suffocating the victim. It also contains a powerful procoagulant,” the museum says.

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 6:28 AM with the headline "Video shows venomous snake’s angry reaction to being snatched from pipe in Australia."