Two snakes filmed wrestling on Stradbroke Island beach
Two wrestling snakes filmed in action on a busy Stradbroke Island beach have caused a sensation online and have people wondering what exactly they are up to.
Redlands Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Redlands Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE hustle of holiday makers on a Stradbroke Island beach was not enough to interrupt two large pythons as they entwined and wrestled on the sand.
The pair was videoed Saturday just metres from cars and people strolling along the sand.
$1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. Min. cost $4
The clip was shared to Facebook by the Stradbroke Island Management Association (SIMO) and has attracted more than 39,000 viewers and been shared more than 560 times.
But what had people confused was whether the snakes, estimated to be around two metres in length, were doing the love dance or locked in battle.
Deb Bowen-saunders said “making little pythons!” while Terry Grant said “actually two males fighting”.
“Wow. Male combat...” was the comment from Indian based Simultala Conservationists when they shared the footage but others insisted the pythons were engaged in a game of love.
Expert Moreton Bay snake catcher Bill Pledger, however, said there were some telltale signs the twisted snakes were in fact mating.
Mr Pledger said while at first glance the snakes looked to be fighting, closer inspection of their tails indicated otherwise.
Mr Pledger said the way the tails entwined suggested the a mating position.
“It says to me it’s actually a boy and a girl.”
However, he said the position was similar to two male snakes in battle.
“When snakes fight they entangle themselves so the dominant gets control.
“When they fight they often headbutt and bite each other.”
Mr Pledger said the act was unusual to see in such a busy location and it was also rare to see two pythons on the sand.
“Normally, you would see brown snakes on the beach.”
Mr Pledger said it was the time of year for snakes to mate, with mating season starting about a month ago.
Council, police evict 50 campers from city park
More than 50 people living in tents and vans have been evicted from a southeast Queensland park after police and council rangers enforced a final warning to vacate.
Knitting queen named Qld’s kindest person
Logan’s Pamela Tatt, founder of Knit 4 Charities, has been named Queensland’s finalist in the national search for Australia’s kindest person, organised by retailer Black Pepper.