Warning after Aussie kids approach python 'mating ball'
Although the species is nonvenomous, a snake catcher has urged people to be careful as snakes emerge to mate.
An Aussie family got more than they bargained for during a weekend hike when they stumbled across a "unique" wildlife experience, but an expert has warned others against repeating their actions.
In a series of videos posted online on Monday, a large pile of snakes can be seen huddled together on a rocky outcrop. As the family moves in for a closer look, they count almost a dozen of the reptiles.
In one of the clips, which has since been deleted, a young boy can be seen reaching forward to gently stroke one of the diamond pythons, which is illegal as snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act.
'Weird' snake gathering explained
Professional snake catcher Troy Hovenden told Yahoo News Australia that what the family witnessed in Sydney's Royal National Park was a diamond python "mating ball".
"You get a bunch of males that are really keen to mate and they all sort of hone in on a female that just happens to be close by," he said. "They're not so much taking turns, it’s just they're all basically trying to get a go."
While some snakes will fight off competitors and "wrestle for dominance" when it comes to mating, this species is a little bit more laid back. "It's a really weird, interesting and unique sort of thing that diamond pythons do," Mr Hovenden explained.
With spring well and truly underway, Mr Hovenden, who is also known as The Reptile Bloke, says we're likely to see more of this activity in the next month or so, and while we shouldn't be alarmed, he advises against getting up close like the children in the video.
Aussies warned to keep their distance
The mum behind the camera, who can be heard telling the kids to "keep their hands away", correctly identified the snakes as some "beautiful diamond pythons", which are nonvenomous.
However, Mr Hovenden said they do have "needle sharp" teeth that curve backwards "so when they bite their prey, they hold on to it and then it can't escape". Fortunately, as pretty "docile" and "super chilled" reptiles, they're unlikely to strike a human.
"But more than that, it's a safety thing," Mr Hovenden warned. "I'm worried that if someone, especially a kid, misidentifies a snake and they think it's something harmless and they touch something that's not harmless, it could end up being a bad situation."
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