Snakes not shy about sex

Vicki Rodwell of Kenilworth took this amazing photograph of red-bellied snakes, just outside of her house yard.

LOVE is in the air at the Rodwell's farm out Kenilworth way.

Vicki Rodwell says they've had plenty of snakes at their place, but she's never seen anything quite like this display of spring fever.

Two red-bellied blacks were so totally absorbed in their “special cuddle” last Saturday that they took no notice of Vicki or her rottweiler dog.

Vicki captured the image after her dog started barking and growling in a particular way.

“We've had lots of snakes around, mostly browns, but nothing ever like this,” she said.

“They were mating right outside the house yard. I thought I've got to get a photo of this and raced up the hill to get my camera and they were still at it when I got back.”

The keen photographer said her camera is not usually too far away.

“I'm a camera person; I've always joked that I put on my camera before I put on my undies!”

Just to confirm that it was a mating pair and not two males having a “biffo”, The Gympie Times emailed the photo to snake-catcher and herpetologist John Keady.

John confirmed it was a male and female doing what comes naturally this time of year, not two males fighting for mating rights, which can look similar.

“Two fighting males entwine differently and stand up. You can see these two are mating because they're being very gentle, and he's holding her there. The female is on the left and the male is entwined around her.”

John urges people to never attempt to catch, corner or kill a snake, as this is when 90 per cent of bites are inflicted.

“These are two beautiful, healthy specimens,” John said of the subjects in Vicki's photo.