Shocking photos have captured the moment a massive python devoured an unfortunate wallaby in Brisbane.
The python first suffocated the animal before swallowing it whole in a drain behind a business in the Brisbane suburb of Wynnum on Friday.
‘It took an hour to swallow it. It’s cool to watch how they do it,’ explained Nigel Anthony, who posted the photos of the snake’s lunchtime snack on Facebook.
Brendan Dyer, a leading snake catcher in Brisbane, explained that a carpet python first strikes its prey using its sharp teeth, before swallowing it whole from the head.
Once the python has captured its prey, it wraps its body around it in several loops. It then squeezes the animal until it either suffocates or becomes immobilized.
Carpet pythons have extremely flexible jaws that allow them to swallow prey much larger than their head. This includes animals such as wallabies, possums, dogs, and even cats.
After swallowing, the python will find a safe place to digest its meal. Digestion can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the size of the animal.
Mr Dyer warned that Queenslanders are more likely to encounter snakes as breeding season kicks off.
‘After three months of relative quiet, the snake breeding season is picking up again — things are getting back into full swing, and people are more likely to run into snakes,’ he explained.
‘With the end of winter, the breeding season typically runs from late July through September.’
He added that while carpet pythons are relatively harmless to humans and non-venomous, it’s best to leave them alone.
‘If you spot a carpet python in the bush, just leave it alone, they’re very harmless. I’ve caught three today, and none have tried to bite me. But if you find one on your property, it’s best to call a snake catcher.’
He also warned the hotter weather would cause the deadly Eastern Brown snakes to come out of hiding, which are responsible for most snake bite fatalities around the country.
About 140 different species of snakes call home, but 100 of them are venomous, and only 12 species are likely to kill you if bitten.
Snakes are not naturally aggressive and prefer to retreat. The only time they attack people is if they are attacked themselves, provoked, or captured.
– Remove any debris or woodpiles, cut back long grass and shrubbery, remove leaf litter and block any holes around the outside of your house that may look like a safe spot to hide
– Keep pests under control. Rodents are a good food source for snakes – less food means less snakes.
– Keep bird aviaries and chook pens secure, clean and free of rodents. Ensure you have a fine mesh or shade cloth around the outside of any aviary so our snake friends don’t get stuck in the wire.
– If possible, keep cats inside and snake avoidance training for dogs can literally be a life saver.
– Call a professional. Never attempt to catch or kill a snake. This is illegal and snakes are incredibly important to the local ecosystem.
SOURCE: n Geographic