'Huge' Deadly Snake Filmed Swimming by Beach as Kids Play Nearby

One of the world's deadliest snakes was seen swimming at a popular beach in Australia on Sunday, as families with children played nearby.

The lengthy reptile, a highly-venomous eastern brown snake, was caught on camera by a member of the public who was visiting a dog walking area of a beachfront at Point Cartwright in Buddina, a suburb of the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland.

The footage was published to Facebook by Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, a local snake wrangling business that's also well-known for its viral posts.

"How good of a swimmer was this big fella!" Stuart McKenzie, the owner of the reptile relocation service, wrote in a caption alongside a short video that showed the "huge" brown snake gliding through the water in front of multiple cautious onlookers.

As the snake swam past with its head above sea-level, at least two men could be seen ensuring their pet dogs were restrained, one man holding the pup in his arms.

For good reason, too, as its bite causes more deaths than any other species of snake in the country according to a profile of the eastern brown by the Australian Museum, which notes the species' average size is approximately five feet long.

"We received a heap of calls about this snake and I just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone down there for staying calm and keeping their distance from the snake and keeping dogs away from it as well," McKenzie's post continued.

"If you see a snake in a public area, especially playgrounds and BBQ areas please give us or council a call to report it. Most of the time [snakes] can be left alone to move on," he added. The upload has attracted more than 2,000 comments and reactions.

The snake catcher told News.com.au he had received at least five calls about the snake from people in the area on Sunday but the snake eventually left on its own accord. He said onlookers had reacted responsibly by giving the snake its own space.

"When people see snakes it's about common sense," McKenzie said, before warning snakes are not known to actively chase humans without feeling under threat.

He said: "You just need to take a few steps back and nothing will happen. People go on about snakes chasing them but it will not happen— it's just not true. The only time a snake will ever attack someone is if someone is threatening them. Just be smart."

If an encounter with an eastern brown takes place and a person is bitten, the results can be fatal. Urgent medical attention—and a dose of anti-venom—is urgently needed.

Health experts advise to call an ambulance and apply pressure immobilisation bandages if possible. Do not apply a tourniquet, as that would only isolate the venom.

The Sunshine Coast snake catcher's website warns: "A bite from this can and will cause death if not treated correctly. Bites from this species have caused human fatalities. The eastern brown snake accounts for more fatalities than any other Australian snake."