A Jindalee resident received a startling wake-up call this morning when she stumbled upon a carpet python enjoying a possum breakfast on a busy Brisbane street.
Karen Dutra was out for a run when she witnessed the python devouring its prey near a childcare centre on the corner of Warandoo and Kangaloo Streets. Seeing the snake’s jaws clamped around the possum’s head and body left Ms Dutra in shock.
She recounted watching as the snake coiled around the possum and started to eat it. The possum was still moving at first. She then ran home and called her husband to come and see it, too.
Ms Dutra’s photos, shared on social media, sparked a flurry of comments. Some expressed awe at the python’s ambitious meal, while others shared their close encounters with snakes.
With snakes becoming more active in Queensland between September and April, a spokeswoman from Harrison’s Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher offered a timely reminder. Carpet pythons, she explained, are constrictors that feed on furred or feathered animals. She cautioned against approaching these snakes, as they can still bite.
She advised that even if you recognise the snake, don’t try to handle it. If someone picks it up, it will defend itself and could bite.
The spokeswoman also noted that snakes emerge from their winter dormancy as the weather becomes more active. The warmer they are, the more active they are, and their metabolic rate increases, so they’ll want to eat more, she said
Important Reminder
If a snake enters your home, it is crucial not to attempt to kill it. Killing native animals is illegal and increases the risk of being bitten if the snake feels threatened.
Call RSPCA Queensland on 1300 264 625 for snake removal or contact your nearest snake specialist.
Published Date 16-September-2024