ECHUCA’S Charlie Merryweather had to summon his inner Steve Irwin when he found a 1m brown snake at his house.

Mr Merryweather, who is used to seeing the occasional reptile around his property, said the snake had become caught in a large mouse trap.

“I think it was hungry and thought the mice in the trap would be an easy lunch,” he said.

“I’ve caught plenty of mice in my time but never a snake.”

There has been more reports of snakes in and around houses this summer than usual.