Thomas Morgan, 13, was filling his dog’s water bowl on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred. 

His mother Claire Morgan said Thomas was luckily wearing long jeans and boots when he was bitten.

“Thomas was walking back to the house when he felt a tingling sensation on his leg,” she said.

“He came straight inside and must have realised a snake had bitten him. I wasn’t home, so he called me and I then called our neighbour who is a nurse.

“She came straight away and assessed that it was a snake bite, then we called the ambulance.”

Thomas was taken to Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham for assessment.

“We’re very grateful that we have an ambulance here in Rupanyup so they came really quickly,” she said.

“The paramedics were amazing; we were certainly quite panicked at the start but once the blood tests came back, we were very relieved. He also didn’t need any anti-venom, so he was very lucky in that aspect.”

Thomas spent the night at hospital for observation and was discharged on Monday morning.

“Thomas was very keen to get out of hospital and come home,” Mrs Morgan said.

“The first thing he did was check on the dog when he got back.”

Related: Here’s what to do if you see a snake

She said Thomas’ encounter was a warning to others that snakes were already out and about.

“We always tell the kids to wear long pants and boots when they’re outside here just in case – and sure enough, it helped,” she said.

“I’m also always telling them to be wary of their surroundings in the backyard. Thomas loves being outside; he’s out there most of the day.

“We see them around the house from time-to-time, but we’ve been here nine years and have only seen two or three.

“With the warmer weather, they must be coming out to find water.”