'Disgusting' video solves mystery of snake's white lumps
WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT: Video footage shows the moment a long “string worm” is removed from a snake’s body where white bumps had appeared on the reptile’s skin.
A Queensland snake catcher used the sharp prick of a needle on a lesser black whip snake after the venomous reptile was delivered to care to be treated for injuries sustained in a dog attack in Hervey Bay.
Samuel from Fraser Coast Snake Catchers was shown gently prying at one of the protruding white “bumps” which turned out to be a type of tapeworm.
Once partially free from being buried in the skin, Samuel used his fingers to pull the gooey white creature out further.
As more of its length was removed, the appearance of the bumps could be seen gradually disappearing.
Samuel said the type of tapeworm was “very common” in the skin of frogs, geckos and skinks.
“The snake is an intermediate host for the worm to grow, they get the worm larvae by eating the frogs and other animals. Then, they pass the eggs which can be passed on to other animals,” he wrote in a post to the snake catching Facebook page.
“While they usually don't bother the snake in small numbers, we will occasionally remove them if the animal is unwell or in our care for rehabilitation.”
The video showed just one of the worms being removed from the snake, which Samuel said was “very skinny” and “covered” in the creepy crawlies when it was delivered to him.
He said the worm was actually small when compared to some he had removed from snakes previously.
“We have removed worms that have been longer than the snake they are in,” he said in a comment.
Samuel added the snake was “cooled down” while he conducted the procedure which put the animal in a calm state.
Snakes are cold-blooded so rely on exterior warmth to regulate their body temperature. When they’re cold, they become less active and more docile like the snake in the video.
While some were intrigued by the sight, others were left feeling perplexed.
“Why is this so disgusting yet so satisfying?,” one person wrote in a comment.
“Poor baby hope it doesn’t hurt and will be okay,” another said.
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