【Sarah Shevon Archives】

While the holidays are Sarah Shevon Archivesoften accompanied by snowmen imagery and freezing weather, in Australia, you'll just experience searing heat. And snakes.

This particular tiger snake was found chillin' on a Christmas tree belonging to a woman in Melbourne, on Sunday morning.

While tiger snakes are known for being shy, it's also highly venomous.

"They're probably in the top 10 most toxic animals on the planet. But they're not dangerous unless you poke it with a stick or grab it by the tail, or try to kill it," Barry Goldsmith, from Snake Catcher Victoria, told Mashable.

Goldsmith, who removed the reptile, said it's the first time he's encountered a snake in a Christmas tree. But he did find one lurking at the base of one years ago.

While some people with a feigned sense of bravado might want to kill the snake, it can be a very dangerous manoeuvre, as it's known stay alive for some time even when severed.

Not to mention, it's illegal to kill these guys in many Australian states. The tiger snake is a protected species.

"I'm all about stopping people from trying to hurt themselves," Goldsmith said.

"Usually people cut the head off the snake, and don't realise it that its head is actually still alive for about 15 minutes ... lots of people get bitten while trying to pick up the severed head of the snake."

Always call an expert, wannabe heroes.

(Editor: {typename type="name"/})