A homeowner in Australia recently got quite the shock while passing by his backyard fish tank. At first glance, something didn’t look quite right — and when he took a closer look, he realized a very unexpected visitor had joined his fish.
There, resting at the bottom of the tank, was a large carpet python — a nonvenomous snake native to Australia — calmly coiled among the unsuspecting fish.
Completely stunned and unsure what to do, the homeowner called Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, a local reptile rescue service known for handling all sorts of slippery situations. Within minutes, a professional snake catcher arrived to assess the scene.
“These fish had a friendly (but quite large and scaly) visitor!” the team shared on social media. “The snake may have been preparing to shed its skin, cooling off, or relieving some irritation. Honestly, not a bad aquarium addition — if you don’t mind snakes!”
Though the python seemed calm and occasionally lifted its head above water to breathe, it clearly didn’t belong in the tank — and the fish likely agreed. With expert care, the catcher gently removed the snake and placed it into a bag for relocation to a safer, more natural habitat.
“That is the craziest place for a snake,” the snake catcher said, lifting the unexpected guest from the water.
Fortunately, the bizarre visit ended peacefully, and, as the rescue team confirmed, none of the fish were harmed or turned into dinner.
