A massive python has stopped traffic in a remote area north of Cairns … and also created a social media frenzy.
Since the Queensland Police Service shared the image earlier this week of the five-metre reptile, it has received more than two million views and generated 11,000 comments.
Two police officers stumbled upon this monster-sized scrub python on a road during a recent night patrol in the bush area surrounding Wujal Wujal, about 120 kilometres north of Cairns.
Police said there was no passing in the police vehicle until the python was “good and ready to move.”
“Seizing the opportunity for a quick photo, Sergeant Ben Tome sent his colleague Acting Senior Constable Chris Kenny out of the car to stand next to the giant,” they said. “Not fond of the police attention, the scrub python made his way quickly off the road so the officers could continue on their way.”
The Cairns Post reports that scrub pythons, also known as amethystine pythons, are Australia’s largest snakes, growing up to 8 metres long. The non-venomous reptiles, which live in rainforest, coastal scrub and open forest from Townsville to Cape York, kill their prey by using constriction.
They reportedly feed mainly on mammals and birds but are capable of taking animals as large as wallabies.
It can stay there too. One brave Mr Plod.