SHOCK PHOTO: Snake surprises shoppers in Aussie supermarket

Now this is frightening! - by Amy Sinclair

With heavy rain inundating north Queensland, a Cairns snake catcher has issued a warning to watch out for snakes in the most unlikely of places.

Speaking to Yahoo7, Cairns snake catcher Matt Hagan said he’s been busy removing snakes from all sorts of places since the deluge began last week - including a local supermarket.

SHOCK PHOTO: Snake surprises shoppers in Aussie supermarket

Matt said he received a call from the staff at a supermarket in Trinity Beach yesterday after they found a brown tree snake on a shelf.

“They are nocturnal animals so they search for food, sometimes near buildings, during the night and crawl up into wall cavities for sleep during the day,” the snake catcher told Yahoo7.

“But this one was probably spooked when the neon lights got flicked on. It was upset and was ready to go to bed.”

While it only took the Cairns snake catcher five minutes to capture the ‘cranky’ snake, it would’ve surely given staff and shoppers a nasty fright.

Matt says he’s also been busy relocating snakes he’s found in gyms, houses and schools.

“Wet conditions in Cairns have resulted in many snakes seeking a reprieve from the weather in dryer areas in and around buildings, homes and shops,” Mr Hagan wrote on Facebook.

Moral of the story for northern Queenslanders? Check your trolley before you start ssssssshopping!

Main image: Facebook/Cairns Snake Catcher

Amy Sinclair

Amy Sinclair is the editor of New Idea Food. She is a former weekly magazine editor who loves all things food, cooking and eating - especially the eating! When she's not looking after her three children, you'll find her in the kitchen or busily hiding online shopping purchases from her husband.