Venomous Snake Slithers Across Passenger’s Foot Inside Car In Terrifying Close Call
Social Trends — A man’s quiet car ride turned into a nightmare when a highly venomous tiger snake slithered across his bare foot while he sat in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked in his driveway.
Tanny Parsons, from the small town of Tilba Tilba on Australia’s far south coast, said he had just returned from visiting family when the terrifying encounter occurred. The car, he explained, had been sitting unused for six weeks, which may have allowed the deadly snake to sneak inside.
“I felt something on my feet,” Parsons told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). “I looked down and this large snake was just across my feet. I just yelled out to my friend to stop the car, get the dog, and jump out. It gave me a hell of a fright.”
Rescue Team Called To Remove 5-Foot Tiger Snake
Parsons immediately called VRA Rescue NSW in Narooma, who dispatched trained snake handlers Malcolm Barry and his daughter, Sarah Barry, to the scene. When they arrived, they discovered the intruder — a 5-foot-long tiger snake, one of Australia’s most venomous species.
The pair, both experienced in wildlife removal, carefully coaxed the reptile from the vehicle and safely relocated it to the bushland nearby.
“We’ve pulled snakes out of homes and from behind furniture, but this was our first time removing one from a car,” Malcolm Barry said. “It wasn’t a close call — there was no hint of the snake biting. It was actually a pretty easy catch.”
How The Snake Got There
Experts believe the tiger snake likely slipped into the vehicle while hunting rats that had made their way into the parked car during the weeks it sat idle. “It’s common for snakes to follow rodents into tight, warm spaces like engine bays or car interiors,” Barry explained.
He warned drivers, especially in rural Australia, to check their vehicles after long periods of disuse — particularly during spring and summer when snake activity peaks.
A Lucky Escape
Tiger snakes are highly venomous and potentially deadly to humans. Their venom can cause paralysis and, if untreated, respiratory failure. Fortunately, Parsons avoided a bite during the incident.
“It could have gone bad very quickly,” Barry said. “He was lucky the snake was calm and not defensive.”
Parsons said he’ll be taking extra precautions from now on. “I’ll be checking my car every time before I get in,” he admitted. “You don’t expect to find something like that at your feet.”
A Reminder To Stay Alert
Snake experts say encounters like this are rare but not unheard of in regional parts of Australia, especially during warmer months when snakes are more active. Locals are urged not to handle snakes themselves but to contact professional rescuers.
“It’s always best to stay calm and call for help,” Barry added. “Most snakes don’t want confrontation — they just want a way out.”
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