Winston Hills · 23 October 2026 · Snakes in the City
A red-bellied black snake first spotted in a children’s garden play area led to a nearly three-hour poolside rescue at a Winston Hills home on Friday, 23 October.
The snake was seen at a property in Ulanda Place before moving into a gap beneath the concrete edging around the pool. Once inside the cavity, it was reluctant to emerge.
For Harley Jones of Snakes in the City, the call-out became an exercise in patience, close observation and persistence.
A brief appearance, then back under
Harley used a sump pump to introduce water into the cavity. The snake would periodically lift its head to take a breath before retreating again, prolonging the effort to bring it within reach.
The photograph from the call-out captures one of those moments: the red-bellied black snake surfacing for air beside the pool fence.
Red-bellied black snakes are capable swimmers and can remain submerged for extended periods. The Australian Museum records an example of the species staying completely underwater for as long as 23 minutes—a useful explanation for why a hidden snake may not immediately emerge. That is a recorded example, rather than a measured breath-hold for this particular snake.
Nearly three hours of persistence
Wearing protective gloves, Harley lay flat in the water and waited for an opportunity. When the snake surfaced again, he was able to capture it. The call-out took nearly three hours.
After capture, the snake was humanely relocated.
Homeowner Maroun was grateful for Harley’s determination and said he was happy to leave a Google review.
Keep children and pets clear
A snake near a play area or pool can be unsettling, particularly when it disappears into a concealed gap. Keep children and pets away from the area and call an experienced snake catcher. Do not reach into the cavity, attempt to flush the snake out, or try to catch it yourself. The handling described here was undertaken by an experienced professional; protective gloves do not make a snake safe for a member of the public to handle.
For local assistance, see our Winston Hills snake catcher page. You can also read our red-bellied black snake guide and explore snake removal across the Hills District.
Species information: Australian Museum — Red-bellied Black Snake. Call-out account and photograph supplied by Snakes in the City.
Need a snake catcher in Winston Hills?
Keep people and pets well clear and contact Snakes in the City. Available 24/7; a call-out fee applies.
Suspected snakebite: call 000 immediately.