While most Australians are aware that snake breeding season is well under way and there’s an increased risk of spotting a snake or two in the wild, a Brisbane family got the fright of their life when a pair of coastal carpet pythons fell through a vent in the roof and into the bedroom of their suburban Brisbane home.
Video has captured two 1.75-metre snakes locked in a combat battle. Shared on the Snake Catchers Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and Gold Coast Facebook page, the two snakes could be seen wrestling with each other inside the bedroom of a home.
“So we have our first pair of combat males for the season,” a woman could be heard saying in the video. “These are in Kenmore Hills in the Western suburbs of Brisbane.”
While it almost looked as though the two snakes were attempting to mate, the snake catcher in the video confirmed they were actually two males who were fighting with each other.
“So they’ll wrap around each other, wrestling to compete and see who’s the strongest,” she said. “That will give them the right to pursue the female that’s obviously in the area.”
The snake catcher said both male snakes could tell the female was close by because she had left pheromones, or chemical substances released into the environment. The two snakes could be seen intertwining with each other.
“This pair have been a bit naughty,” she continued. “As you can see, we’re in a vacant bedroom and you can see the duct cover because they have pushed their way through from the ceiling and left a bit of a mess.”
Although they both appeared to be quite large, the snake catcher confirmed that they were actually small compared to other snakes in the area. They could be heard hissing at each other and the snake catcher confirmed that battles like this could continue for hours until one is exhausted.
Although it would be enough to make the skin crawl on anyone who isn’t a fan of snakes, the snake catcher confirmed the snakes wouldn’t attack her because they’re more interested in each other. She also explained whether the snakes would bite each other.
“If the males are unevenly matched and one is much larger than the other and he can’t be bothered wasting his energy, then he will just lash out with his teeth and put some pretty impressive slash marks in the smaller snake,” she said.
Because snake breeding season has begun, there is an increased risk residents will see a snake or two in their homes, backyards, schools and other urban areas as they search for a mate. In the event of a snake sighting, it’s always best to contact a snake catcher so it can be safely relocated. Trying to capture it yourself can increase the risk of danger not only for you, but for the snake.