Something to make your jaw ache
No. I did not take these photos.
My sister-in-law’s cousin forwarded the pics to me. Or something like that. But I can tell you, if I had been there (at a place described as the ’22 kilometre Lake Lindsay overland conveyor route’ near German Creek Mine in Central Queensland) I would have been shooting that Nikon off like there was no tomorrow.
Seems to be some kind of python (Morelia spilota or carpet python would be my guess) who was sooooo hungry he took on what can only be described as QUITE a mouthful…
Apparently they suffocate their prey before ‘swallowing’ or literally wrapping their body around their meal. My clicky jaw hurts just looking at this.
Of course my sympathies to the wallaby too.
We have lots of pythons here – we see their abandoned skins more often than the snakes themselves. The largest scrub python I have seen was as thick as a (working) man’s arm and about 10 feet long. Usually they are slow-moving and quite beautiful. Except (I imagine) if they are swallowing a family pet. Or worse.
Soooo… anything freaky in your neck of the woods lately?
17 Comments
Kelly
Wow!
jeanie
Thank goodness we are nowhere near "German Creek Mine in Central Queensland" because I have grave fears for ginger cat/snake relationships as it is.
My word verification is "domacile" – not that it has anything to do with this post, just that so many random letters should make a real word!
Anonymous
Truly amazing. I started to ask about how big a wallaby is, but regardless, snake size versus meal size… I don't think that snake is going to be zipping off into the underbrush in its usual quick and limber fashion any time soon.
We have been known to have black snakes (King? Bull? Hognose?) that will take chickens now and then. Being mere hobby farmers, it's mostly a nuisance. The snake that appeared inside my washing machine–That was unwelcome. I don't care if it wasn't venomous, I don't want it eye-to-eye with me while I'm digging clothes out of the bottom of the tub. The worst part was, I couldn't get it out. I don't know how it got in, and I have no proof that it ever left. (I think it must have, or surely we'd know by now, but I can't Prove it.) I saw it three times over several months (what could it possibly find for prey in my washing machine?!) but nothing in the last year. Unless you count the snake that was climbing up the shelves were we keep the DVD player, heading for the ceiling. Might have been the same one, or a cousin. THAT one was caught and taken outside.
Now, the critter that's been in the timber, that Fish & Game claims doesn't exist… The dog that lived had wounds that the vet confirmed had to come from a mountain lion (bobcats do Not grow that big) and we all agreed that the dog owed his life more to luck than anything. The good thing is, lions have a large home range, so this one isn't likely to stay in the immediate area all the time. The bad thing is, we never know when or if it might come by for a visit. Good thing we have a whole pack of big dogs… Or perhaps I should be more grateful for the abundance of deer in the timber.
I could laugh about the joys of living in the country, but I'm only a mile outside of town. Oh, and this is Kansas, where we "don't have" bears or mountain lions, except when someone hits one with their car on the highway. Or so Fish & Game would have us believe.
Best to you and yours!
Gretchen
Pony Girl
Whoa Nellie, that is just bizarre! Hard to imagine something so small can manage that meal. Great pictures!
Debby
*shudder*
corymbia
Whoa – awesome.
We were losing cats at our farm a few years back … and then we found the culprit behind some bran bags. Certainly was a thick as FIL's arm.
traceelements
Oh boy. They are amazing.
dykewife
amazing! i don't imagine that snake moved very far after eating that feast. it did remind me of a few people i know though.
other than people there aren't really any freaky beasties around right now. they're all smart and hibernating in their burrows or have migrated to warmer climes.
Jayke
Holy Cow! That's insane! I'm glad the only snakes we have around here are grass snakes, very small little guys.
A few years ago there was a horse near town attacked by 'something' and had to be put down because of it's injuries. The vet said it was a mountain lion, but the Rangers assured us there were 'none' around here.
The most dangerous animal we've got seem to be coyotes. I've never been afraid of them, but recently a women in my Province died after being attacked by two (first time that has ever happened), so we watch our backs.
There is a pack that hangs around my Dad's farm, they sit in the back pasture and just stare at the horses, it's very creepy. My Dad, who has never owned a gun and does not hunt, armed himself against the coyotes just in case they get any ideas about giving our 31 year old gelding an early retirement.
Cactus Jack Splash
Oh my! In one picture it looks like the snakes eyes are bugging out. I didn't know they could eat something that bit
A Novel Woman
You win, you WIN! Uncle, uncle I say!!
Hey, I love snakes, but come ON. (shudder)
The most pesky creatures around here at the moment are gray squirrels, but they can't swallow people whole.
Sheesh. Now this woke me up more effectively than my cup of Joe.
Lydia
OK, I sat down to eat my breakfast and enjoy a post from bushbabe…. You know, that was fascinating, but not really appetizing. LOL
(Just note, I looked at all of the pictures anyway) :}
BUSH BABE
Heh… sorry to shock you awake like that, my northern hemisphere friends! Like I said, these AREN't my shots – but you've got to share something like that, right? If I ever track down the actual photographer I will acknowledge and link… be nice to have the full story about whether the snake could MOVE after this meal, or whether it popped!
And those mountain lion and coyote stories… gah!!!
Debby
Okay. I first viewed those pictures at like 3:30 in the AM (up to let my old dog out and to get a drink of ice water). I do have to say this one thing: Watching those pictures is like watching the reverse of giving birth. Also, good heavens, I'm gonna need a bigger hoe.
And no. I have not seen anything quite that shocking here. Ever, probably.
Kate
Holy Giant Snake Batman!!! Egads that is quite the feast he took on. Snakes are so amazing. That his body will expand to accommodate that wallaby is just miraculous. Gorgeous snake though, i love pythons, they are rather cool critters. Thanks for sharing!!
Pencil Writer
May I just say how grateful I am that 1. I am NOT a snake
2. That even though I have from time to time found a sandwich slightly larger than my mouth can open, I am still glad I'm not a snake.
Awesome how that do that. But then 3. I don't want to eat my supper with its coat on.
Thanks.
Hippomanic Jen
I shall remember this image when I'm full to bursting after Christmas Dinner.