Free from the jaws of death: Frog escapes snake’s stomach after being regurgitated

A GREEN tree frog has survived almost certain doom after being regurgitated by a snake in Weipa.

A green tree frog escaped death at the weekend, jumping free from the digestive tract of a common tree snake just seconds after being ingested.

AS FAR as slippery situations go, this could be one of natureÂ’s greatest tales of triumph over adversity.

A green tree frog escaped death at the weekend, jumping free from the digestive tract of a common tree snake just seconds after being ingested.

Weipa’s only licensed snake catcher, Lauren Dibben, was the difference between life and death for the amphibian.News_Image_File: A distressed common tree snake regurgitated its morning meal of a green tree frog to save its own skin in Weipa.

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The commotion attracted dozens of locals keen to watch the snake’s removal, when the procedure took a twist.News_Image_File: This green tree frog miraculously survived the jaws of death after being regurgitated by a tree snake in Weipa.

"I just picked it up and then realised it was about to regurgitate something," she said.

"I thought maybe it had eaten a rat but it then vomited out a green tree frog backwards.

"It just popped onto the ground and it was covered in spit and other snake stomach juices."

To her surprise, the frog then started to move.

"The frog then took a breath. So I rinsed it off and it pretty much looked like a brand new frog," she said.

"He sat there a little bit stunned and I think he went and sat somewhere quiet for a while."

Ms Dibben, who has been working as a part-time snake catcher for the past two years, believes the snake regurgitated its meal so it could make a quick getaway.

"I guess it's easier to do that on an empty stomach," she said, adding that she released the snake in nearby bushland after the ordeal last Saturday.

Ms Dibben says the frog may have survived because it can hold its breath for a long time and it's likely it had only been inside the snake for a couple of minutes.

It was also lucky because the snake wasn't venomous and eats its prey alive.

"I think the frog will survive but I think the snake was a bit disappointed he lost his breakfast," Ms Dibben said.

- with AAP