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Homeowner's frightening discovery as python inhales possum while hanging from roof

After hearing a commotion in their backyard, residents in Queensland were quick to call a snake catcher after spotting a large python devouring a possum while hanging from their roof.

Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie was called out to a home on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, early Wednesday morning after the homeowners spotted the carpet python slithering along their roof.

Even the 30-year-old professional snake catcher was shocked to see the 6.5 foot-long reptile dangling from the roof with a large ring-tailed possum clasped in its mouth.

 A snake catcher has filmed the horrifying moment as it dangled.
Snake catcher Stuart filmed the horrifying moment. Source: Caters

“I got a call out from a residence after they saw the python on their back patio roof and heard a bit of a commotion,” Mr McKenzie said.

“When I arrived it was dangling there from the roof with the possum in its mouth.”

Mr McKenzie waited for an hour to allow the snake to finish eating the possum, and was able to take some photos and a time-lapse video while he waited.

“I realised it had only just started it’s meal so I knew then I had to wait for it to finish eating,” he said.

“I knew if I tried to take it away right at that moment, it would likely drop its food and not want to eat it again.

Mr McKenzie said the homeowners were pretty good about the whole ordeal, and were even intrigued by the snake, who took its time ingesting the possum.

Snake eating a possum.
The snake catcher said he watched the snake eat the possum for over an hour. Source: Caters

“It took about an hour to eat it completely, so I just sat with the residents while we watched and waited for it to be done with its meal.”

According to National Geographic, pythons wrap themselves around their prey and crush it to death before swallowing their food whole – with their jaws being able to unlock to stretch around larger creatures.

After the snake had finished devouring the possum, Mr McKenzie transported it from the home and released it into nearby bushland so the python could digest its meal in peace.

“We got him back into the bush a long way away from homes,” he added.

“He will have found a nice and warm spot to stay warm and digest that huge meal over the next week.”

− Caters

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