'Can you find the microchip?': Snake catcher's shocking X-ray

A Queensland snake catcher has shared a shocking image as a reminder to cat owners about why it is important to keep their feline friends inside.

The picture, uploaded to the Snake Catchers Brisbane Facebook page, shows the unfortunate ending to an encounter between a cat and a carpet python - with the furry mammal coming off second best.

Last week the residents from Mount Ommaney noticed their cat was missing and spotted a seemingly well fed snake.

When they called licensed snake catcher Lana Field they asked if it was possible the reptile had eaten their pet which had not been seen for about three days.

"It's a hard lesson on one of the reasons why we keep cats inside," Ms Field told Yahoo7.

The carpet python was taken to the vet where it was scanned but initially no microchip belonging to the cat was found.

However, when an X-ray was taken the chip was spotted, so the vet then knew which area to scan to collect the microchip number.

Sadly for the cat's owners it matched the identification information for their missing pet.

The feline and its owners had only recently moved into the property southwest of Brisbane's CBD.

The snake catcher said it is possible the pet was asleep or may have been curious about the slippery visitor, said to be about three metres long.

"Usually cats are too alert to be eaten," Ms Field said.

"It may have been unsure of where to go or may have not encountered snakes before."

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And while this cat may have been unlucky, Ms Field said snakes are one of the least dangerous things cats can encounter outside the home, claiming paralysis ticks, and being near the road are worse.

One woman, who also owns a cat, commented on the snake catcher's image saying her pet stays inside and she knows there are pythons near her home.

She included a picture of her cat on the couch and along the top of the furniture a skin is stretched out.

"Our little old tabby wouldn't have had a chance against a python that size. Poor kitty in the xray, and poor owners." she wrote.