Deadly tiger snake is found lurking in a swamp in Melbourne’s inner west

A dangerous 1.6metre tiger snake on the loose in suburban Melbourne has been caught lurking in a swamp before escaping into a rabbit hole. 

Construction workers found the massive reptile under Spotswood’s West Gate Bridge in Melbourne’s inner west on Sunday. 

Stewart Gatt from Stewy the Snake Catcher, who caught the venomous creature, told Daily Mail Australia it was the biggest tiger snake he’d caught in four years. 

‘It was a huge male tiger snake. We don’t usually come across fully grown ones too often,’ he said. 

Stewart Gatt from Stewy the Snake Catcher , who caught the venomous creature, told Daily Mail Australia it was the biggest tiger snake he’d caught in four years

Mr Gatt said tiger snakes were usually skinny only had an average length of 1.2metres.

‘The tiger snake was found near land that was being cleared up. It was in an old swamp feeding off vermin,’ he said. 

‘It was heading down a rabbit hole but I managed to grab it by the tail. 

‘It was a very quick catch.’ 

Mr Gatt said the species were the fourth venomous land snakes in the world. 

‘They’re not aggressive but they’re not tame either. They can be defensive, especially when they feel threatened,’ he said. 

He has advised passersbys who may spot a tiger snake to ‘give them plenty of space and move any pets away’.

‘If you give the snake a lot of space, 99 per cent of the time they will disappear and move towards the opposite direction,’ he said.  

‘Always call a professional catcher but it’s illegal to kill snakes or native wildlife.’

Mr Gatt said the warmer weather would see an influx of snakes looking for food – and at this time of year there was always an ‘explosion’ in numbers. 

The warmer months also coincide with breeding season and would see the reptiles in search of a partner.  

‘It was a huge male tiger snake. We don’t usually come across fully grown ones too often,’ he said