At a Glance
- Brisbane woman Rachel Bloor discovered an 8-foot carpet python lying on her chest in bed
- She initially mistook the snake for her pet dog before her husband turned on the lights
- The non-venomous python eventually left unharmed after Bloor guided it through window shutters
- Why it matters: The incident highlights how Australia’s native wildlife can unexpectedly enter homes, even in urban areas
A Brisbane woman received a terrifying surprise when she woke to find a massive carpet python stretched across her chest, initially believing the intruder was her beloved pet dog.
Rachel Bloor was lying in bed when she reached out to pet what she thought was her dog, only to feel the unmistakable smooth scales of a snake beneath her fingertips. The shocking realization came after she asked her husband to switch on the bedroom lights.
“Babe, don’t move. There’s about a two-and-a-half metre (8 feet) carpet python on top of you,” her husband warned her, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and BBC.
Immediate Concern for Pets
Bloor’s first instinct wasn’t for her own safety but for that of her two dogs. She feared the situation could turn dangerous if her pets discovered the python.
“I thought if my Dalmatian realises that there’s a snake there… it’s gonna be carnage,” she told the BBC.
Her husband quickly removed the dogs from the room, eliminating the risk of them attacking or being attacked by the snake. This left Bloor alone with the python still resting on her body.
Delicate Escape
Freeing herself from beneath the 8-foot reptile required careful maneuvering. Bloor knew sudden movements could startle the snake, potentially triggering a defensive response.
“I was just trying to shimmy out from under the covers… in my mind, going, ‘Is this really happening? This is so bizarre,'” she recounted to the BBC.
She executed a careful side shuffle, slowly extracting herself from beneath the bedsheets without disturbing the python. The snake remained calm throughout her escape, seemingly unbothered by the human presence.
Guiding the Intruder Out
Once safely out of bed, Bloor faced the challenge of removing the python from her home. She noticed the snake’s tail still extended through the window shutters, indicating this was likely its entry point.
“It was that big that even though it had been curled up on me, part of its tail was still out the shutter,” she explained to the BBC.
Bloor carefully guided the python back through the shutters, handling the large snake with surprising calm. The python cooperated without resistance, slowly making its way out of the bedroom and into the couple’s backyard.
“I grabbed him, [and] even then he didn’t seem overly freaked out. He sort of just wobbled in my hand,” she said.
Carpet Pythons in Queensland
The carpet python is among the most commonly sighted snakes in Queensland. These non-venomous constrictors can grow to substantial lengths, with the snake in Bloor’s bed measuring a full 2.5 meters.
According to the Snake Rescue Sunshine Coast (SRSC), carpet pythons are popular pets due to their non-venomous nature. However, the organization notes they “can still be dangerous when handled incorrectly.”
These snakes frequently enter homes through open windows, gaps under doors, or damaged screens. They’re particularly active during warmer months when seeking shelter or hunting for food.
Life Experience Prevails
Bloor credits her and her husband’s calm reaction to their lifelong exposure to Australia’s unique wildlife. Growing up surrounded by snakes had prepared them for such encounters.
“Although the incident was a shock, she and her husband weren’t scared because they have been surrounded by snakes all their lives,” Bloor explained after the incident.
This experience contrasts sharply with her feelings toward other Australian wildlife. While an 8-foot python on her chest didn’t frighten her, other creatures do.
“Toads freak me out,” she admitted to ABC.
Key Takeaways
- Carpet pythons are non-venomous but can grow to over 8 feet in length
- The snake likely entered through window shutters, a common entry point
- Bloor’s priority was protecting her dogs from potential conflict
- Growing up around wildlife helped the couple remain calm during the incident
- The python left unharmed after being gently guided back outside
