Tricky rescue to free brown snake from rat trap

A Queensland snake handler used a deft touch to rescue a deadly brown snake whose head was caught in a rat trap.

The tricky manoeuvre, posted to Toowoomba Snake Catcher's Facebook page, shows the critical moment Dave makes a brave grab for the brown snake's head.

Eastern brown snakes are the species responsible for the most deaths caused by snakebite in Australia, according to Australian Reptile Park.

Dave, an experienced snake handler, is deliberate and decisive, pinning the reptile's head as he opens the jaws of the large rat trap.

Comments under the video tell viewers familiar with brown snakes to pay attention to the colour of this particular catch, which is darker than normal. The spots on its belly are also not of typical orange colour.

Amateur viewers are reminded to be extra careful trying to identify species of snakes , and to leave removals and rescues to the professionals.

The snake was checked over and released with just a sore neck.