FOOTAGE has emerged of two eastern brown snakes locked in an intimate embrace on a south-east Queensland property.
The two mature, almost two metre long snakes, gently laid together for 30 minutes with their tails crossed at South Maclean on Friday, October 25.
Southside Snake Services catcher Tanzen, who does not have a last name, captured the serpents which were in the middle of a horse paddock and released them back into their habitat.
With snake breeding season well underway in south-east Queensland, Tanzen said it was not uncommon to witness snakes sharing romantic moments.
"When they are mating they lie very gently with their tails crossed, while combat involves two males wrapping around each other and slamming each other to the ground," she said.
"The video captured the moment they were startled by me, which is why they moved.
"The law states they have to be relocated as close as possible to the point of capture with regard to human safety."
Eastern brown snakes are commonly found in south-east Queensland and thrive in open landscapes including woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands.
Tanzen said it was vital for people to know how to react when in close proximity to a snake.
"If a snake goes away by itself that is the best outcome, but if there are pets and children around you want to move them very slowly as any fast movement can trigger a snake to bite," she said.
"If a snake is five metres away, you want to freeze like a statue ... if you remain completely still you become no threat and they have no interest in attacking you.
"It is illegal to attempt to catch or kill a snake."
Tanzen said she has been called to an average of three snake catching jobs per day, while larger businesses would likely have been called to more.
In the event of a snake bite, Tanzen recommended people follow Australian Resuscitation Council first aid guidelines.
A clean dressing should be applied over the bite to absorb venom, a small bandage should then be wrapped over the wound followed by a large compression bandage to be applied over the entire limb, starting from the extremities towards the body.
The limb should be immobilised with a splint or sling, the patient should remain calm, an ambulance should be called, mark the location of the bite and don't move the patient unless necessary.
