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2.5-metre python ‘trashes family’s bathroom’

November marks the last month of the Australian spring, meaning snakes are more likely to appear

Isobel Frodsham
Tuesday 24 November 2020 11:06 GMT
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One family said they were “a little scared” after the snake was found in their bathroom
One family said they were “a little scared” after the snake was found in their bathroom (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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A 2.5 metre carpet python broke into a family’s house in the middle of the night and woke them up by “trashing” their bathroom, a snake catcher has said.

Gold Coast Snake Catcher - South East Reptile Relocations, posted on Facebook that its team were called to a family home in the suburban town of Tallebudgera, in Queensland, Australia, to remove the reptile.

Images posted by the snake catcher show smashed ornaments, spilled beauty products, knocked over air freshener and perfume bottles on the family’s floor.

One image also showed the none-poisonous snake resting casually on the toilet while half of its body was hanging outside the window.

The post read: “A family in Tallebudgera was woken up by this Carpet Python tonight which not only welcomed himself inside but began trashing the bathroom while making a poor attempt to escape.”

One family member commented on the post: “Thank you Mitch! You were a lifesaver! A beautiful snake but a little scary!”

November marks the last month of the Australian spring, meaning snakes are more likely to appear as they have come out of hibernation and are looking for food.

Taronga Zoo keeper Emma Bembrick has written advice in the Australian Geographic giving people ideas to make their homes less of a hotbed for snakes.

She urges people to remove any debris or woodpiles, cut the grass and shrubbery, remove old leaves and block any holes around the outside of houses to make them “less attractive” to snakes.

Giving advice on what to do if you find a snake, she said: “Never attempt to catch or kill a snake. This is illegal and snakes are incredibly important to the local ecosystem. There are a lot of great snake catchers who will safely and humanely relocate your new friend.” 

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