Did you hear the one about the snake that tried to cross the road?
Well, most of Australia now has. The tiger snake, which is venomous, appeared very lost in an Australian intersection.
The wayward snake prompted this bulletin from the city of Melbourne and the police closure of a couple of streets.
As you do.
Please avoid the corner of Collins & Spencer streets. We’re currently trying to remove a snake who seems to be a little lost. pic.twitter.com/ujN3IU52uw
— City of Melbourne (@cityofmelbourne) February 22, 2018
And naturally, a flurry of interest.
A tiger snake found its way to Melbourne’s CBD this afternoon. Police blocked off one lane of traffic before Barry the snake catcher arrived to collect the venomous reptile. #7News pic.twitter.com/PVnUyrACLy
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 22, 2018
Attracting media and onlookers.
A deadly tiger snake has caused disruption in central Melbourne, forcing police to block off part of a busy city street until it could be bagged by a reptile catcher. https://t.co/B2rlrtng6t pic.twitter.com/GWUzLPbk3g
— ABC Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) February 22, 2018
Yup. A TIGER SNAKE. Corner Collins & Spencer Streets. Now. Snake-catcher on the way. 🙀 pic.twitter.com/MH1ho6bNse
— Jane Holmes (@Missjaneradio) February 22, 2018
And this guy, a professional snake catcher.
GOOD NEWS: The snake in the drain has been rescued and we didn’t even need @SamuelLJackson . Thanks to Barry from Snake Catcher Victoria. pic.twitter.com/m9xjghd8NO
— City of Melbourne (@cityofmelbourne) February 22, 2018
Barry Goldsmith, who really is a professional snake charmer, reptile catcher, said it is a little unusual to see this kind of snake in the city, but they are common in the region.
According to the city, the a tiger snake had fallen from underneath a car near the corner of Spencer and Collins Street just before noon local time. Goldsmith told reporters they can “hitch-hike” to the city.
“But they do live around here, they eat mice and rats and we’re swamped with those at the moment,” Goldsmith said.
“While City of Melbourne park rangers regularly respond to reports of snakes in some of our parks, this is the first sighting of a venomous snake in the central CBD in recent memory,” the city said in a statement.
The snake was actually injured – it’s not clear how — but will be taken to a vet.
Goldsmith said he was optimistic it would recover.
The buzz around the city, however, may not.
I can’t tell you how much of a kick tourists are getting out of seeing a TIGER SNAKE in a gutter in Melbourne’s CBD. Most cliche Australian story ever.
— Ebony Bowden (@ebonybowden) February 22, 2018
Only in #Australia, first a kangaroo on the #Sydney Harbour Bridge now a snake in #Melbourne CBD?! 😆🐍 https://t.co/fsIVEGbKH1
— Dr Francine Marques (@FZMarques) February 22, 2018
