Brisbane Woman’s Midnight Surprise: 2.5-Metre Python Curls Up on Bed
Brisbane, 17 January 2026 – A Brisbane resident has recounted the startling moment she awoke to find a large carpet python curled up on top of her, a vivid reminder of increased reptile activity during the summer breeding season. The incident has prompted warnings from snake catchers across South East Queensland.
The Uninvited Bed Guest
Rachel Bloor was asleep in her Brisbane home late on Monday evening when she felt a heavy weight on her stomach and chest. Initially mistaking it for her pet labradoodle, she reached out and felt something move under the covers.
“I put my arm on the covers and felt it move in my hands,” Ms Bloor told the ABC. She quickly woke her husband, who turned on the lights and delivered the news: “Babe, don’t move. There’s about a two-and-a-half metre carpet python on top of you.”
Concerned for their two dogs, Ms Bloor’s husband removed them from the bedroom. Following his instructions from the other room, Ms Bloor carefully “side-shuffled” out from under the covers. Once free, she guided the non-venomous python out through the window, believing it had entered by pushing open a plantation shutter on the second storey.
Ms Bloor, who grew up on an acreage, said she was not scared of the snake. “I was just glad it wasn’t a toad,” she said. “Toads freak me out.”
Snake Season in Full Swing
Ipswich-based snake catcher Kurt Whyte said such encounters are becoming more common as snake activity ramps up with the breeding season and eggs begin to hatch. “Obviously [with] this hot weather we’re seeing plenty of them getting out and about and basking in this sun,” Mr Whyte said.
He emphasised that snake numbers have not increased, but reported sightings have risen as new housing developments replace bushland. “They’ve got to find places to live, and our backyards are offering the perfect habitat,” he said, noting gaps in garage doors and other structures provide easy entry points.
In a separate incident on the Sunshine Coast, a resident also woke to find a python curled up in their bed, according to a local snake catching service.
A Close Call for Sixteen Eggs
The risks of seasonal activity were further highlighted last week on an Ipswich property, home to The Llama Farm business. Owner Shane Hancock and his partner, Darren Degen, accidentally disturbed a carpet python incubating her eggs while cutting long grass.
“She came writhing out and frightened the living daylights out of us,” Mr Hancock said. The snake was injured by the machinery and later had to be euthanised, but a clutch of 16 eggs was found unharmed.
Snake catcher Tiarnah Kingaby, who was called to collect the eggs, said they “looked fantastic” and are now being incubated. The hatchlings will later be released back onto the property. “We coexist with our wildlife,” Mr Hancock said. “That’s 16 little carpet pythons that will get a chance to live on.”
Key Safety Advice from Experts
| If You See a Snake | If You Find Snake Eggs |
|---|---|
| Do not panic, hurt, or try to catch it. | Do not disturb the nest. |
| Keep an eye on it from a safe distance. | Contact a licensed reptile rescue group or snake catcher. |
| Call a licensed professional snake catcher. | Professionals can safely remove eggs for incubation and later release. |
Both Mr Whyte and Ms Kingaby warned that a majority of snake bites occur when people attempt to handle or move the reptiles themselves. “We’re just getting so many snake bites lately, and probably 90 per cent of them are people interfering with them,” Mr Whyte said. “Just call the professionals.”
Seasonal Vigilance in the North
The warnings extend across the state, with authorities in Far North Queensland reminding residents that the wet season (November-March) is a peak time for snake activity. Data from the previous year shows more than 220 people attended four hospitals in the region with confirmed snakebites.
Wildlife carer Brydie Maro, who runs Tropical Wildlife Rescue, said she receives about one call a day on average during the wet season. Her advice echoes that of her southern counterparts: “Don’t touch the snake, don’t poke it, don’t try and flick it out with a stick or anything because that just annoys them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are carpet pythons dangerous?
Carpet pythons are non-venomous constrictors common in Brisbane and surrounding areas. They are not considered dangerous to humans, though their size can be intimidating. They should still be treated with caution and left for professionals to handle.
What should I do if I am bitten by a snake?
Treat any snake bite as a medical emergency. Call 000 immediately. Keep the person still and calm, and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage over the bite site and along the limb. Do not wash the bite, cut it, or attempt to suck out venom.
Why are snakes coming into homes and yards?
Experts cite habitat loss due to urban development and seasonal weather patterns. Snakes seek shelter, food, and ideal basking spots. Backyards with long grass, clutter, or accessible water sources can provide a “perfect habitat.”