Most people don't run towards a snake when they encounter one in their backyard. But that's exactly what Rosie Wightman was when she realized her pet's life was in danger.
The 12-year-old was looking for a guinea pig at her Sunshine Coast home on Sunday evening when she found a carpet python with its jaws around her pet, named Maxibon. In her desperate effort to save him, she grabbed the snake's tail and began spinning around on the grass, causing the two snakes to swing through the air in the process.
”[I] I didn't even think about it. I was just like, 'Grab the snake, grab the snake,''' Rosie told 7News.
Her father, Luke, heard her screams and immediately intervened, separating them and sending them both to the other side of the garden. Both Maxibon and the carpet python are believed to have been unharmed due to the course of events.
Snake catcher says 'dangerous' behavior led to encounter with animal
Security cameras at the family's home captured the whole encounter, and the footage was uploaded online by her uncle, Brisbane radio presenter Kip Wightman.
Rosie was widely praised for being “brave” and saving the guinea pig's life, but in her praise, one snake catcher highlighted how the story could have easily ended differently. He warned others not to do the same.
“There are about 20 species of snakes on the Sunshine Coast, but the most common is the carpet python seen in the video… but it could just as easily be a brown snake,” Matthew Hampton told Yahoo News Australia told. A venomous eastern brown snake known to “frequently” appear in Queensland backyards. “It's definitely dangerous to grab a snake without thinking about what it is…it was very dangerous.”
The snake catcher believes the encounter with the animal could have been easily avoided if the guinea pig had not been allowed to roam the outdoor area unsupervised.
He acknowledged that the 12-year-old girl's “instincts took over” and that she did a “great job” in rescuing her pet, but said he would not take this video if others were in a dangerous situation. He cautioned that this should not be taken as an example of what should be done. Same situation.
“Innocent native animals are being dragged into our backyards because of preventable behaviors,” he says. “That's not ideal.”
'Good opportunity' to reduce chances of encountering a snake
Mr Hampton warned pet owners against letting their pets roam unsupervised outdoors, especially in areas where snakes are prevalent. “Scent trails” often entice snakes to move into undesirable areas, creating dire situations like this and putting pets and owners at risk.
“Take this as a good opportunity to remove snake food sources and materials that attract snakes. This will very likely lead to snake extinction.” [residents] “I've never had an encounter with a snake that I didn't like. Guinea pigs are basically what a steak dinner is to a carpet python,” he explained.
There are all other ways owners can minimize the possibility of snakes, such as removing shrubs, cutting long grass short, and checking the coop for snakes.
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