Life and Death

Vince · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:30 am Post subject: Life and Death

My grand daughter got a lesson in living in nature yesterday afternoon. My friend who lives opposite my place came came over a little agitated and said, "There's a snake in my backyard". They are Scots and haven't been in Australia all that long, so this was sorta new to them.

Long story short...an eight foot long Carpet Python decided that it rather fancied possum for tea...so it grabbed it and proceeded to gulp it down. Quite fascinating actually, and the kids weren't at all disturbed by it all.

When the snake had finished its meal, it was relocated to bushland about five kilometres away.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Dang.

Cool pics Vince! I didn't know Australia had pythons. Are they native or have they been introduced?

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Awesome thanks for the pics Vince!
Reminds me of my childhood in Indonesia.

Vince · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Totally native Azar, in fact Australia has a number of native pythons, all will bite is they feel threatened, but they are usually very placid and if handled carefully do not present any problems as they are non venomous.

Python Pics

We also have a shed load of the most venomous snakes in the world.

Australia's Dangerous Snakes

Elvis · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:35 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

dang..you couldve plucked it for him first!!!!!!

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

That's it...Scratch Australia off my "To Visit" list.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Ah Bushy, I'd still visit there. I'd just make sure that Vince is around to ID the snakes!

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:46 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Maybe you're right. BUT...Vince will still remain between me and his damned snakes and spiders!

PaulS · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

I don't remember which snake it is but they have one that will chase a person down for getting too close.

Even with the deadly snakes and spiders I would still like to visit Aulstralia one day.

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:42 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Most snakes will have a go if you are between them and safety Paul...but most snakes I have seen are more interested in avoiding contact. I have stood beside two of our most deadly snakes for 10 minutes or more and because they didn't feel threatened, they ignored me.

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Bushmaster wrote:

That's it...Scratch Australia off my "To Visit" list.

You even have to be careful and watch the barbie out here mate...

PaulS · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Better the brats than the folks.
May have invented a new sport - "Snaking" - like fishing but for snakes instead of fish.

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

Good catch-PaulS!

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

I've been wondering why people aren't "varmint hunting" the invasive snakes in Florida, etc. Wonder what the best cartridge and shot placement is for a Burmese python, Nile monitor, etc?

PaulS · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Life and Death

It would likely take a brain shot to be quickly lethal on eith animal. I don't know how big or the exact location of the brain is on either animal but I would think a 12 ga. 00 buck load to the head would pretty much take care of it. Most reptiles can survive most body shots so the only real vital shot has to be the head.