Unexpected Visitor: See This Woman’s Encounter With A Giant Falling Snake

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What would you do if you were enjoying the outdoors in your backyard with your family when a giant snake fell on your patio table? If you live within the range of the diamond python, it just might happen to you. YouTube channel @KayliehollinsOfficial posted a video showing one of these massive snakes slithering down from the rooftop onto a tree and finally landing on a patio table. When the snake drops, children scream, and adults chuckle. Luckily these snakes are nonvenomous; however, is it safe to be that close to one? Let’s find out.

What Type of Snake Is in the Video?

The snake in the video above is a diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota). Diamond pythons are a subspecies of carpet pythons. They grow to about 6 to 10 feet long and weigh up to 34 pounds.

These snakes are olive to black colored with a beautiful pattern of cream or yellow-colored diamond-shaped blotches across their body. Diamond pythons are highly sought after as pets for their beauty and docile nature. They are an arboreal species and are excellent at climbing trees.

Like all pythons they are nonvenomous, but attack their prey by constriction. Their favorite meals are rodents, lizards, possums, birds, and bats. After squeezing the animal, the snake will eat the prey whole, head first.

Where Are Diamond Pythons Found?

Diamond pythons live in Australia and can be found in coastal areas of New South Wales. They live mainly in forested areas with a lot of dense vegetation. However, they can also show up in suburban areas of Sydney. Because they are great climbers, it’s not uncommon for these snakes to make their way into people’s homes and take up residence in attics or roof rafters, especially in neighborhoods that are close to bushland. You may find them hiding in hollow logs or thick shrubs in suburban backyards.

Diamond Pythons Make Good Mothers

Diamond pythons make good mothers, at least until their eggs hatch. After laying about 10 to 30 eggs, the snake mother will protect her eggs from predators and coil around them to keep them warm and help them incubate. Snakes are better parents than we used to think. Scientists have even discovered rattlesnake mothers care for their young for a short time after they’ve hatched. But the diamond python only takes care of her babies when they are eggs. Once the baby snakes hatch, like many snake species, the hatchlings are on their own.

Scientists believe the reason diamond python mothers incubate their eggs, unlike other snake species, is that they live in climates where the temperature gets too cold for the developing snakes. If the eggs were to lose too much heat, the babies could end up stillborn or deformed.

Should You Always Look Up When You’re in Australia?

Should you be on the lookout in Australia for giant falling snakes from up above? Out of all the dangerous creatures living in Australia, of which there are many, diamond pythons are one you don’t need to worry about. These snakes are nonvenomous and shy of humans. They are most likely going to quietly flee an area when they see a human coming. However, if any snake feels trapped or threatened, it may bite to defend itself.

What to Do if You Encounter a Diamond Python?

Diamond pythons are the most active during November when they look for mates and begin laying eggs. This is the time when you are most likely to encounter one in the wild or see a falling snake from above, like in the video. However, many animal experts in Australia recommend leaving a diamond python wherever you see one. They typically don’t harm humans but will keep rodent and possum populations under control. If you had a rodent problem before, you won’t for long if a diamond python moves in.

If you just can’t share your home with a snake, call a snake catcher to have it removed. These snakes can bite when threatened and should be handled by professionals. There are also many venomous snakes in Australia, and you don’t want to end up getting bitten by one of them. A diamond python may bite when threatened and their fangs can break off and get stuck in your skin.

How to Keep Pets Safe From Pythons

Although pythons aren’t going to hunt humans, they could harm small pets such as rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs. Be sure to keep pets in enclosures without any gaps. Snakes can squeeze their way into very small openings.