An air conditioning worker inspecting a malfunctioning unit at a rural Australian property was met with an unexpected sight when he climbed into the attic and discovered snake skins scattered throughout.

Matt Sellen, who works at Coolman Air Conditioning & Pro-Active Maintenance, was called to the property to investigate a home air conditioner on a macadamia nut farm near Byron Bay, New South Wales. When he reached the attic where the air conditioner was located, he quickly realized that someone, or rather something, had been there before him.

"I noticed an abundance of snake skins all around—everywhere I looked," Sellen told Newsweek via email, estimating about 20 snake skins in the area.

He began filming the discovery, initially intending to show his co-workers some of the unusual things he and his colleagues encounter on the job. The original footage was approximately 50 seconds long, though it was later shortened for an Instagram Reel, which was shared by his workplace under the account @coolmanairconditioning.

"I did look briefly for the actual snake or snakes but wasn’t able to see any," he said.

A Common Sight in Australia

While finding 20 shed snake skins might sound alarming to many homeowners, Sellen said the discovery wasn't particularly unusual for the area.

"In Australia, it’s very common to find snake skins and snakes in the roof cavities of rural homes," he said, with carpet pythons common around Byron Bay.

The Byron Bay Guide describes the large, nonvenomous snakes as a feature of hinterland properties and says they can be useful predators of rats and possums. The outlet also notes that carpet pythons have been reported taking up residence in roof spaces during the wet season.

A snake's skin is made up of interlocking scales to protect the reptile from hazards. The scales are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.

An article from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute states that snakes shed their skin for several reasons. Young snakes shed as they grow, while adults may shed in response to hormonal changes associated with mating, laying eggs or giving birth. Injured snakes will also shed as part of the healing process.

Snake Nowhere to Be Found

Despite the evidence that snakes had been using the attic, Sellen couldn't locate the reptiles responsible. And he wasn't particularly worried about finding them.

"Carpet pythons are not aggressive and are nonvenomous, so I was not scared or frightened—more intrigued and excited to find one," he said.

Plus, for a property located on a farm, having a snake around isn't necessarily considered a bad thing.

Sellen discussed the discovery with the property's caretaker, as the owner wasn't home. He said the owners probably wouldn't mind the snakes because they can help keep rat numbers down.

The discovery wasn't Sellen's first snake encounter on the job. He has previously removed carpet pythons from clients' homes by hand and has filmed some of those encounters.

For the air conditioner visit, however, there was no snake removal required.

"I just carried on with my job and moved on to the next one," Sellen said. "It was just another day in Australia."

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Tony Phillips.