The Gap State High School briefly went on lockdown after a dangerous and venomous snake was seen on the grounds.
On Tuesday, 28th of February 2023, at around 10:55 a.m., the students were asked to stay put inside instead of going out on their first break to ensure their safety as a school staffer saw a slithering Eastern Brown Snake.
Professional snake handlers from Snake Out Brisbane Snake Catchers were then called to remove on the courtyard just outside of the classrooms.
Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident as the students and staff waited and watched while the pros got to work. Their lunch break, however, was cut short because of the 30 minute lockdown.
The Eastern Brown Snake is deemed as the second most venomous snake in the world but they are effective for pest control at farmlands.
“Because the Eastern Brown Snake can cope and even thrive in areas of human disturbance, and its natural range happens to include some of the most populated parts of the country, this species is probably encountered more than any other type of snake” per the Australian Museum.
“Being an alert, nervous species they often react defensively if surprised or cornered, putting on a fierce display and striking with little hesitation. However, if approached over a distance, they will usually choose to flee or else remain stationary, hoping to avoid detection.”
Experts say that the snake’s bites are easy to disregard because it might just feel like a scratch. These snakes have short but fine fangs that don’t actually hurt. However, within minutes of the bite, a victim could feel nauseous and vomit or collapse before bleeding to death.
