Snake with bumpy back a rare find

A tiger snake with a zig-zagging back caused by a rare spinal condition has become the object of global fascination after it was found in Tasmania.

The venomous snake, which has been dubbed “Rocky”, is thought to have a genetic condition called Charcot's Disease which causes the marble-sized lumps to form along its spine.

Bruce Press from Reptile Rescue Tasmania told ABC News he was stunned when he pulled the snake from a hole at a property on the state’s east coast.

"It's really unique: it's got about 28 marble-sized lumps on the back but it can still freely move," he said.

The 60cm female is currently healthy but is not expected to live a long life.

"It's not in pain but after some years it can be a bit degenerative and the spine will fuse together and the best thing to do is euthanase the snake," Mr Press said.

"We're not allowed to let the snake breed, so the only thing I can do humanely for the snake is keep it in captivity and feed it smaller mice that it can digest with its grotesquely bent spine, and let it live out its years until its spine starts to fuse."

Rocky is believed to be the 16th snake in the world diagnosed with the spinal condition, and has attracted interest from snake enthusiasts across the globe.

"I've had 278 phone calls from yesterday about it, it's just phenomenal. And to see the snake — it's really unique," Mr Press said.