A Broome resident was in for a shock when returning from a day at the beach, after discovering a massive snake hiding under the bonnet of their LandCruiser. 

The unexpected passenger – a 1.8-metre Mulga snake – had climbed up a front wheel and taken shelter in the engine bay while the vehicle was parked on a remote beach outside of town.

Unaware of the hitchhiker, the driver only spotted the reptile after returning home and opening the bonnet. A local snake catcher spent over an hour monitoring the snake’s movements before finally extracting it when it shifted into an accessible position. It was safely and carefully removed with the help of a local business crew and later relocated without harm.

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“A challenging and unconventional snake catch this evening, with a big Mulga inside a LandCruiser bonnet,” said Aidan Mitchell, in a post to the Broome’s Natural Environment Facebook page. 

“The 1.8m beauty climbed up a front wheel and into the engine bay on Saturday when the vehicle was parked on a beach out of town. It was a tense drive home for someone. Kept the snake moving and, when after about an hour it moved into an accessible position, the reluctant reptile was gently and safely extracted. Well done to the excellent local business crew who assisted.”

The Mulga snake, also known as the king brown, is one of the largest venomous snakes in Australia and can grow beyond 2.5 metres. Its venom isn’t the most toxic, but it delivers large amounts in a single bite, which can cause serious muscle damage. These snakes are usually found in dry, inland areas across most of mainland Australia and tend to shelter in woodlands, scrub and deserts. While not highly aggressive, they will defend themselves if threatened and are treated with caution due to their size and venom.

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It’s important not to confuse the Mulga (king brown) with the eastern brown snake, which is more dangerous to humans and responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia. Eastern browns are more aggressive, faster and deliver highly toxic venom that can be fatal if untreated. In contrast, the king brown is slower and less defensive, and while still dangerous, is less likely to cause fatal bites when medical help is available. 

Snake catchers urge anyone who finds a snake in or around a vehicle to back away carefully, keep an eye on it, and call in a professional to assist.

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