We covered many unusual animal encounters with cars in recent months. This includes foxes chewing on brake lines and defecating, an elk with a tire around its head, and a dog that learned to walk upright like a human after a car accident. Now, there’s another strange automotive animal encounter. This time, it’s from the “Land Down Under.” A family in Australia found a huge coastal carpet python snake on the rearview mirror of their car. 

Snake in a car during a family picnic near Brisbane, Australia

Last Saturday near Brisbane, Australia, a family had a relaxing picnic. However, their picnic took a frightening twist when they returned to their car and found a terrifying surprise: a coastal carpet python snake hanging from the rearview mirror of their car. The snake slithered inside the car via a window that was cracked open, as detailed by 7News.

In addition to Australia, coastal carpet pythons are native to New Guinea, the Northern Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago. The reason why they have the name “carpet python” is because of their unique markings that resemble an oriental carpet pattern.

Why did the carpet python snake enter the car and wrap itself around the rearview mirror? Was it hungry? Did it want a quiet place to relax? Was it hoping to hitch a ride back home with the family? In all likelihood, given its location on the rearview mirror, the snake was “sunbathing.” Since snakes are cold-blooded reptiles, they need external heat to keep warm. The rearview mirror was probably a good place for the snake to bask in the warm rays of the sun.

Brisbane North Snake Catcher to the rescue

The family contacted Brisbane North Snake Catcher to capture the carpet python in their car. John Castle, the director of the snake catching service, stated that the rearview mirror is one of the more “unusual places that callers have found snakes.” He continued, “I’ve never seen it. I pulled them out of car bonnets [hoods] and stuff like that, which is more to be expected because they can get into a bonnet from underneath.” Castle said that one of his reptile catchers captured the snake and safely relocated it.

“Forget fluffy dice! Only in Australia would you come back to your car to see a coastal carpet python wrapped around the mirror. A family left their window slightly opened while enjoying a family picnic to keep the car cool! They came back to this! How Aussie is this?”

– Brisbane North Snake Catcher

How do you get a snake out of a car?

A snake in a car can be a terrifying experience. It can also be very dangerous, especially if the snake is venomous. If you find a venomous snake in your car (or are uncertain about it), the best thing that you can do is contact a wildlife control agency. Furthermore, in some states, it’s illegal to handle wild, venomous snakes — unless you’re a certified wildlife control professional. 

If you’re certain that a snake in a car is nonvenomous and feel comfortable dealing with the problem on your own, there are a couple of different measures that you can take. This includes sweeping a snake out with a broom or capturing it with a burlap sack. However, again, it would be best for you to contact a wildlife control agency.

Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with a snake encounter like the family in Australia. Be safe, and watch out for snakes in your car while you’re on the road.