A lucky kookaburra survived a carpet python attack after being gripped by the snake while it was hanging off the roof of a house in Clinton, Queensland, according to the Gladstone Region Snake Catchers.
Carpet Python Captures Winter Meal in Clinton
According to the Gladstone Region Snake Catchers, handlers received a call to a property in Clinton where a carpet python had secured what the group described as a “nice winter feed.” The snake had managed to grab the kookaburra while positioned on the roof of a residential home, leaving the bird caught in its coils.
Did you know? Carpet pythons are non-venomous snakes native to Australia that typically feed on small mammals, birds, and lizards using constriction to subdue their prey.
Rescue and Release After Shock
The snake catchers successfully intervened and freed the kookaburra from the python’s grip, though responders initially “weren’t sure” if the bird was going to survive the encounter. However, after handlers held the bird for a “few minutes,” the kookaburra suddenly began squawking and “took off in a hurry, flying into some bushland,” according to the rescue group.
Explaining the bird’s recovery, the snake catchers noted that the animal “was obviously only semi-constricted and was also in shock until all of its senses kicked back in,” adding that it was “a very lucky bird as it had only just been captured.”
Impact on Local Wildlife and Social Media Reaction
While the bird would have made a “decent meal for the snake” and “sustained it for a considerable amount of time,” the rescue group stated that the python “will find something else to dine on” and noted that “the burra lives another day.”
The incident drew mixed reactions from users commenting on social media. While one user wrote, “Well that’s not a happy outcome for the snake lol! He lost his meal,” another expressed relief, writing, “Thank you for saving the kookaburra.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of snake attacked the kookaburra in Queensland?
A carpet python captured the kookaburra while hanging from the roof of a home in Clinton, Queensland, according to the Gladstone Region Snake Catchers.
Did the kookaburra survive the python attack?
Yes. Although handlers initially doubted its survival, the kookaburra recovered from shock after a few minutes and flew away into nearby bushland.
How do carpet pythons hunt their prey?
Carpet pythons are constrictors that typically grab prey—such as birds or small mammals—and squeeze them before consuming them whole.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever encountered native Australian wildlife in your backyard? Share your experiences in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more wildlife rescue updates.
Worth a look