A chance encounter turned into an "unusual job" for snake catcher Ray McGibbon last week.
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As Mr McGibbon drove along Tourist Road near Robertson, en-route to a rescue in Mittagong, he saw a Coca-Cola can "flip in the air".
"I said 'there's no wind, what's going on?'. The can was flipping, a snake was trying to get out," he said.
That snake was a Highland copperhead, a venomous species endemic to Australia.
"It was trying to get in the can and hide away. It saw a nice gap and said 'I'll go in here'," he said.
Mr McGibbon proceeded to carefully cut the can open, remove the snake and place it into a bag to find a place to release it.
"You've got to be more on your game. If they're restricted, they feel more agitated," he said.
"It is a big risky job for handlers like myself, even though we've got the experience.
"I try to keep a calm and positive attitude. If I behave like that around snakes, I get a cool and calm response."
The rescue was a success and has attracted praise from residents across the Southern Highlands.
Mr McGibbon posted a video of the job to his Facebook page Reptile rescue, relocations and awareness Southern Highlands and Surrounds.
Residents noted Mr McGibbon's "cool, calm and collected" approach.
"What an incredible rescue!" one resident commented.
"Nice release of the snake there! Rubbish and nature don't mix!" another said.
The snake catcher said while he had rescued another snake stuck in a can a few years ago near Welby, it was "one of those unusual jobs".
"Most of them have been in bird netting over veggie gardens," he said.
Mr McGibbon recommended residents contact the professionals for snake handling.
"You definitely need the training, the experience in handling and the knowledge," he said.
"Contact the correct people, they have the licences and the insurance."
He also reminded residents not to litter, as it caused issues for wildlife, marine life and reptiles.
"We've got to be mindful of the way we dispose of our rubbish," he said.
If you require assistance with a snake, call Ray McGibbon on 0400 734 225.
