Maitland shoppers received a shock on Monday morning, when a snake was seen slithering near shops in The Levee.
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An Eastern Brown was seen crossing the shared road before it traveled along the shop line on the Hunter River side.
The snake actually entered women’s fashion store Autograph and gave the staff a bit of a fright.
Staff member Gail Oldis was up in the front window area of the store when the snake came in.
Her heartbeat certainly increased when she saw the unexpected customer.
The snake even raised its head off the ground, but luckily it exited on its own.
“The clothes didn’t suit him so he left,” Ms Oldis said.
Justin Lantry from Bill’s Snake Relocate was called at about 11.30am and dropped past on his way to get his car serviced.
He scooped up the snake by the tail and placed it in a bag with his bare hands.
Mr Lantry said he will relocate the snake to a bush area with shelter and food later on Monday afternoon.
Bev Eveleigh was shopping in Lowes when the five foot snake made its way past.
She said she had seen snakes at her own home, but never in a public area.
Ms Eveleigh said the sight was “unreal.”
Katrina Potts said she saw a snake outside Johnson’s Shoes on Sunday but was not sure if it was the same one.
Mr Lantry also received a call on Sunday about a snake in the mall, but when he arrived it had gone into a garden bed and was not able to be caught.
The snake catcher commended the behaviour of spectators on Monday.
He said it was great that people kept an eye on the snake’s movements but watched from a safe distance and did not try to harm it.
“People trying to kill snakes brings a high risk of being bitten,” Mr Lantry said.
Mr Lantry said rubbish in The Levee attracted mice, which in turn drew snakes to the area.
He said it was not uncommon to see snakes in built up areas, and that he usually attended a few snake call outs in the mall each year.