croc or snake?

[Ken Gargett]

you know you have problems when you are not sure whether the reptile in your backyard is a snake or a croc.

 

Rini Steenwinkel stands with a five-metre python beside his home at Greenacre Cl in Whiterock. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

QLD News

Snake catchers find enormous roo-filled python in North Queensland

Chris Calcino, [email protected], The Cairns Post

May 1, 2017 2:55pm

A SNAKE so huge it was mistaken for a crocodile is believed to have been feasting on wallabies before it was caught.

The five metre amethystine python was found in Whiterock resident Rini Steenwinkel’s yard, after a neighbour called over the fence to say he had found the massive reptile metres from their yard.

The well-fed serpent’s length and wallaby-fed girth caught the expert from Cairns Snake Removals expert by surprise when he arrived.

“The snake catcher didn’t believe me when I described how big it was, but he turned up and said, ‘Holy crap’,” Ms Steenwinkel said.

“He rang up his friend because and they ended up having to put it in the boot of his car because it was so big.

“He said it would have been capable of swallowing a six-year-old.

“They were so impressed, they did it for free.”

The grassed area where it was found is popular with children, including Ms Steenwinkel’s neighbours who use it to ride their motorbikes.

 

The whopping python was rehomed in a nearby creek.

[TNT009]

Boy, your looking at a great golf best and shoes!

[rhcolbert]

Nice!!

[CigarmanTim]

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing"

[playindirty]

That is one huge snake 

[RDBM]

Certainly looks well fed. Had to laugh when I read they rehomed it in a nearby creek, chances are they'll be back to remove it again soon !

[Auspaul]

Gives you a fright when you find one in your backyard  had a 5 metre carpet python once wondered why there were no flying foxes it was climbing the trees and eating them

[Ken Gargett]

29 minutes ago, Auspaul said:

Gives you a fright when you find one in your backyard  had a 5 metre carpet python once wondered why there were no flying foxes it was climbing the trees and eating them

or when there are suddenly no possums.

i saw the "rehoming" bit. i doubt it was 'too nearby'. carpet pythons, and i presume amethstines, are quite territorial so it would want to be back in its home territory, hence i would suspect it would be moved well away or it most certainly would be back. of course, there is then the problem that it is dumped in another python's home territory and the problems that causes. mind you, not sure how many battles a five metre python would lose.

[garbandz]

Snacodile............just one more reason I am eternally grateful I do not live in OZ................

[Sean3]

What is it with your reptiles Down Under???  Some of the most venomous species on earth...now this beast!!

[Ken Gargett]

33 minutes ago, Sean3 said:

What is it with your reptiles Down Under???  Some of the most venomous species on earth...now this beast!!

i'm sorry but i have to step in here and defend our reptiles from this outrageous slur.

we have ALL of the most venomous species, not just some!

[Fuzz]

1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said:

i'm sorry but i have to step in here and defend our reptiles from this outrageous slur.

we have ALL of the most venomous species, not just some!

[puromaniac]

Whole new image to snake in the grass. Impressive.

[garbandz]

I remember reading that the Aussie snakes are all venomous, except one.

That one eats you whole.................

[jwr0201]

Not only snakes and crocks...even the spiders have attitude!  

[Sean3]

21 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

i'm sorry but i have to step in here and defend our reptiles from this outrageous slur.

we have ALL of the most venomous species, not just some!

My humble apologies Mr. Gargett, didn't mean to slander Oz's absurdly lethal crawlers.  I read of a particularly nasty snake some time ago that was called the "Smooth Scaled Snake",  was wondering if this is one of your infamous Brown Snakes?

[scap99]

I don't honestly know how anyone is alive in Oz.

Everything is lethal and trying to kill you.

Y'all probably have venomous rabbits or man eating roaches down there.

 

[Fuzz]

4 hours ago, Sean3 said:

My humble apologies Mr. Gargett, didn't mean to slander Oz's absurdly lethal crawlers.  I read of a particularly nasty snake some time ago that was called the "Smooth Scaled Snake",  was wondering if this is one of your infamous Brown Snakes?

The Smooth Scaled snake is probably related to our Rough Scaled snake; it's just more suave and sophisticated...

[Ken Gargett]

5 hours ago, Sean3 said:

My humble apologies Mr. Gargett, didn't mean to slander Oz's absurdly lethal crawlers.  I read of a particularly nasty snake some time ago that was called the "Smooth Scaled Snake",  was wondering if this is one of your infamous Brown Snakes?

we have rough scaled snakes which are extremely poisonous and aggressive, though not as venomous as browns and taipans and death adders and tigers and....

there is a 'smooth scaled death adder', a species of death adder. i think death adders rank 2nd or 3rd in toxicity but they are dangerous as they are one of only two species of venomous snakes which, if held by the tip of the tail, can actually swing up and reach the hand that holds them. most can't do that. problem is i can never remember the other one. of course, what the hell do you want to be holding one for. and i believe that they are the fastest striking snake in the world so not as though you can let go if they look grumpy.

you might be thinking of the small-scaled snakes - another name for the taipan. and they are number one on the world hit list!

 

[Winchester21]

Would make a great pair of western boots and a bunch of cigar cases

[Sean3]

On 5/3/2017 at 2:11 AM, Ken Gargett said:

we have rough scaled snakes which are extremely poisonous and aggressive, though not as venomous as browns and taipans and death adders and tigers and....

there is a 'smooth scaled death adder', a species of death adder. i think death adders rank 2nd or 3rd in toxicity but they are dangerous as they are one of only two species of venomous snakes which, if held by the tip of the tail, can actually swing up and reach the hand that holds them. most can't do that. problem is i can never remember the other one. of course, what the hell do you want to be holding one for. and i believe that they are the fastest striking snake in the world so not as though you can let go if they look grumpy.

you might be thinking of the small-scaled snakes - another name for the taipan. and they are number one on the world hit list!

 

Death Adders, Tigers...appropriate names for such deadly creatures.  You may in fact be right about mistaking the name of the Smooth/Small Scaled Snake, it was quite a few years ago that I read about it and my memory is not to be trusted these days.  Good info by the way, Oz's critters certainly have character.