Moranbah snake catcher Aaron Thompson shows off 3m black-headed python
When his mate called him about a 3 metre snake in the backyard of a house in Moranbah, snake-catcher Aaron Thompson couldn’t resist taking a photo with the slithery behemoth. SEE THE PHOTOS.
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When a mate and fellow snake-catcher nabbed a mammoth 3 metre black-headed python in the backyard of a house in Moranbah, Aaron Thompson could not resist taking a photo with the slithery creature.
“They are a very unique animal,” he said.
“Each one has their own character and personality.
“They are quite fascinating and beautiful creatures once you get to understand them.”
Mr Thompson has been snake-catching for six years and said it was an “incredible feat” for a snake to grow that large.
“For a snake to get that big in the wild – is an incredible feat,” he said, adding that he had once seen an even bigger python coming in at more than 3m some eight years ago.
The snake was caught on Sunday, January 22, in the late afternoon.
Mr Thompson estimated the snake was seven to 10 years old.
“They (black-headed pythons) are non venomous,” he said.
“But if a snake that big did decide to have a bite, it would leave a mark.
“Any snake bite is not a good bite.”
Mr Thompson said eastern brown snakes, the second most venomous snake in the world, were the most common type he dealt with in Moranbah.
“You are a lot more relaxed with a black-headed python,” he said with a laugh.
His said the python had been relocated to a safe area where it would not interact with people.
Mr Thompson works for Impact Environmental, a fauna management, snake handling and feral animal control business.
He said he got into the business to start with because of a fear of snakes.
“It was a fear of snakes that piqued my interest and got me wanting to learn more about them,” he said.
“Through spending time with them I have learned to appreciate and love them.”
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