SYDNEY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- While the holiday season in the northern hemisphere is embodied by snow, sweaters and reindeer, for Australians nothing quite says Christmas like sun, sand and snakes!
But unfortunately for one Aussie business, 510 km south of Sydney near the township of Bega, Australia's prolonged east coast drought coupled with scorching hot temperatures has seen an influx of deadly snakes take some of the joy out of this year's festivities.
Deb Court told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday, her family-fun Christmas tree farm, Xmas Tree Bob, has been inundated with an unusually high number of aggressive brown snakes.
"Normally, I'm out in the garden in my flip flops," she said.
"But this year, I'm wearing gumboots and not in the garden nearly as much."
"Mum opened the car door the other day and a brown was under her foot."
"I had one go through my legs while gardening, so I carry a rake around with me at all times now."
For families selecting a Christmas tree, a large part of the fun and tradition is wandering around the lot searching for the perfect pine.
However, with one of the world's deadliest snakes slithering around the property in huge numbers, court said she now needs to meet potential buyers at the gate where she has placed warning sign.
"It has affected the families and kids roaming on the property wanting to tag a tree," she said.
"It's a kill-joy on the family tradition."
But despite the very uniquely Australian problem, court said her customers had been very understanding about the issue and so far the army of snakes have not impacted on her sales.
