In a striking event in Mysterton, Australia, a family was left heartbroken after a snake preyed upon their pet kitten. On the 16th of March, Jeremy De Haan, a seasoned snake handler, was summoned to a residence where a coastal carpet python, a non-venomous species, had ingested the family’s kitten.
The young cat had slipped outside through an open door, unbeknownst to its owners, just as the 1.3-meter-long python, which is considered small for its species, was lurking nearby.
“Carpet pythons, like many snakes, seize feeding opportunities as they arise,” explained De Haan to Newsweek. “Unfortunately, the kitten’s short venture outdoors overlapped with the python’s presence, leading to a tragic outcome. Although such incidents can often be avoided, it’s crucial for pet owners, especially those with small or vulnerable pets, to remain vigilant.”
Carpet pythons, found across Australia, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the northern Solomon Islands, are recognized by their distinctive markings and typically prey on small rodents and birds. They usually consume meals amounting to about 10 percent of their body weight, with young pythons eating every 1-2 weeks and adults, due to their slower metabolism, every 2-4 weeks.
Despite being relatively widespread, carpet python populations are on the decline, prompting their inclusion on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. However, they are currently classified as a species of least concern on the list.
During the incident’s handling, extra care was taken to prevent the python from regurgitating its meal, which would have resulted in further loss of life. “Allowing the prey to be regurgitated would have been a waste of the pet’s life,” De Haan stressed. “The owners, acknowledging the snake’s natural instincts, kindly agreed to the python’s safe relocation.”
De Haan, who specializes in snake relocation in Queensland, mentioned that this was only the second instance he had encountered a cat being consumed by a snake. Moved by the unfortunate event, he waived his usual callout fee.
While the incident was sorrowful, the consumed prey will nourish the python for several weeks. De Haan highlighted the importance of community awareness and coexistence with native wildlife. “Such occurrences are extremely rare,” he pointed out. “However, it’s crucial for pet owners to be aware that large pythons could potentially pose a threat to small pets and to take measures to prevent any possible interactions.”
In related incidents, a teenager experienced the shock of waking up to a 6-foot carpet python slithering over him, and another couple discovered an 8-foot carpet python in their hallway, both of which were handled by De Haan. These events underscore the need for vigilance and understanding of the wildlife with which we share our environments.