Maximus Jozeljic has pet budgie eat by python at Frenchville home

A four-year-old boy has been surprisingly excited to find a huge coastal carpet python curled up in his pet budgie’s cage. The only problem was the his budgie was nowhere to be seen. He’s not the only one though.

Maximus Jozeljic had his budgie Sybil eaten by a carpet python at his home in Frenchville.

When four-year-old animal lover Maximus Jozeljic went outside to check on his pets he found a large addition to his line-up - and something missing.

The young boy was left shocked, yet surprisingly excited, when he discovered a coastal carpet python curled up in his pet budgie’s cage at his Frenchville, Rockhampton home.

What wasn’t in the cage was his budgie Sybil.

The python, who has since been given the nickname Speedo, found itself somewhere to rest and a meal eating poor Sybil.

Maximus Jozeljic had his budgie Sybil eaten by a carpet python at his home in Frenchville.

Maximus’ mum Yasmine Jozeljic said the family didn’t hear a thing, only discovering the python with a full belly when Maximus went to check on his bird.

“We got the bird from my sister’s neighbour, and my four-year-old (Maximus) is animal crazy,” she said.

“Unfortunately we discovered the snake in the cage instead of the bird.

“My son goes out to check on the animals every morning. He’s had the bird and he’s got a rat and some mice and a dog (and) he made the discovery.

“He was upset but he was also excited to see the snake, he loves all animals including reptiles.”

Pythons in ‘bird cages, guinea pig pens and chicken coops’

Mrs Jozeljic said snakes in their area weren’t uncommon.

“I think it’s because of the creek and the mountains behind us … we have a Frenchville Neighbourhood Watch (Facebook group) and people are always posting about lost dogs or snakes,” she said.

The carpet python is a non-venomous species of snake feeding mainly on warm-blooded prey such as possums, rats, flying foxes and birds.

They are also known to occasionally feed on poultry and other family pets.

Rockhampton snake catcher Svetlana Mitin from CQ Snake Catchers and Wildlife Services said they had received many call-outs for carpet pythons at homes across town.

She said they had been called to carpet pythons in bird cages, guinea pig pens and chicken coops.

‘We recently had a call where a python had consumed three chickens’

“We constantly get calls for pythons at people’s homes that have gotten into bird cages and guinea pig cages; there are all sorts of attractions for pythons around people's houses,” she said.

“We recently had a call where a python had consumed three chickens and another instance where a python had eaten a cat.

“Those are always extremely sad call outs.”

Mrs Mitin said when pythons have a big feed they don’t move for about a week.

She said anyone that comes across a python in their pet’s enclosure should call a snake catcher and must not try moving the reptile themself.

Svetlana Mitin.

Pythons rest after a big meal

“After consuming a lot of food they have to sleep it off and aren’t likely to move on anytime soon,” she said.

“So it creates another stressful situation where people have not only just lost a pet, but they then have this snake that isn’t going anywhere.

“It’s imperative people don’t try and move it themself, when they are full they are extremely exposed … pythons have razor-sharp teeth and, while they’re not venomous, the bite can still get infected because they’re a wild animal.”

Mrs Mitin said to keep pets safe owners should ensure their bird or guinea pig cages are vermin-proof and recommended keeping cats and small dogs inside.