A rare incident in Mysterton, Australia, saw a family lose a pet kitten to an unfortunate encounter with a hungry snake.
On March 16, experienced snake handler Jeremy De Haan was called out to the family home where a non-venomous coastal carpet python had caught and consumed the family pet.
The kitten had ventured out through an open door without the family realizing, just as the 1.3 meter snake—relatively small for the species—was nearby.
“Carpet pythons, like many snakes, are opportunistic feeders,” De Haan told Newsweek. “In this instance, the kitten’s brief excursion coincided with the python’s presence, resulting in a devastating encounter. While such interactions between pets and snakes can often be prevented, vigilance is key, especially for owners of small or vulnerable animals.”
Jeremy De Haan
Found in Australia, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and the northern Solomon Islands, the carpet python are known for their distinct markings and generally feed on small rodents and birds.
Usually consuming prey that totals around 10 percent of their weight, young carpet pythons feed every 1-2 weeks, while adults with slower metabolisms feed every 2-4 weeks.
Although relatively common, their numbers are decreasing, and they have been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species—although they are a species of least concern on the list.
Extra precautions were taken during the handling process to ensure the python did not regurgitate its meal, thereby avoiding any further loss of life. “Regurgitation of the prey item would mean a waste of life for the pet,” De Haan emphasized. “The owners, understanding the natural instincts of the snake, graciously accepted the situation and requested the safe relocation of the python.”
De Haan is an experienced snake relocater and provides the service across his local area in Queensland, but this is only the second time he has seen a cat taken by a snake.
As a result of the heartbreaking circumstance, he did not charge a callout fee.
While tragic, the prey will sustain the python for some weeks. De Haan emphasized the importance of communities understanding how to coexist with native wildlife.
“[This is] very rare,” he clarified. “Being aware that large pythons can potentially take small pets needs to of focus for all pet owners ensuring no interactions can take place for vulnerable sized pets.”
Last year a teen was stunned to be woken up by a 6-foot carpet python slithering over his body. Another couple was shocked to find an 8-foot carpet python in their hallway, that was also caught by De Haan.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.