Police discover house of reptiles in Sydney

Police discovered scores of reptiles, including deadly snakes and three crocodiles, in a suburban Sydney home, officials in Australia said today.

David O’Shannessy, of Australia's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said staff found three baby crocodiles and snakes including death adders, taipans, red bellied black snakes and pythons among more than 100 animals in the house.

Taipans and death adders are among the world’s most venomous snakes.

Also discovered were turtles, geckos, iguanas and large Australian lizards known as goannas.

Some were dead and others in poor condition.

“It appears all these creatures were abandoned and left to starve,” O’Shannessy said. “The condition (of the survivors) varies from reasonable condition to poor condition.”

Police found the reptiles Friday night when they broke in after neighbours expressed concern that they had not seen the man who lived at the house.

Police were trying to trace the man, who could face charges for illegally keeping the animals and for cruelty.