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Snakes on a Plane! Pythons Escape on Qantas Flight
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by Jordan Yerman | April 16, 2009 at 06:44 am
478 views | 22 Recommendations | 5 comments
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I've been waiting a long, long time to write that headline. Anyway, twelve pythons were packed in a special python-crate and shipped on a Qantas passenger flight from Alice Springs (Northern Territory) to Melbourne (Victoria). Upon landing, though, only eight pythons were counted... The plane was grounded as a frantic search ensued.
The crate itself appeared undamaged, so investigators are unsure how the constrictors made their escape, and the remaining snakes are keeping quiet. Oh, and, by the way, the Melbourne Four (as I'm going to call them) are still at large. Meanwhile, reptile experts are continuing to scour the plane like it was Slash's mansion.
Twelve non-venomous Stimson's pythons were being transported on a flight from Alice Springs to Melbourne on Tuesday. They were in the plane's cargo area in a bag inside a plastic foam box , which was studded with air holes.
... The Stimpsons are going to Melbourne!
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 06:52 on April 16th, 2009
So, they haven't called Samuel L. Jackson yet?
at 07:30 on April 16th, 2009
Should the Melbourne Four continue to evade the authorities, they just might have to do so...
at 08:31 on April 16th, 2009
Good thing the snakes were non-venomous.
at 09:15 on April 16th, 2009
Well, I would personally consider cannabalism if they were in the same snake bag or container. Antaresia unlike other pythons, are more likely to cannabalise. With a snake that is only 3ft long as adults and can fit in just about any crevice will be hard snakes to find.
at 14:51 on April 19th, 2009
I was surprised to learn that they are the most widespread (in terms of range) of pythons -- all across central Oz. They are fairly rare since not that many were exported before Australia banned their export years ago, and weren't as well known or appreciated as Children's another antaresia. Too, the babies are reputed to be fairly hard starters (to get eating regularly), but I think it will be worthwhile!
Of the pair of Stimsons that I keep, the male gets a bit bitey if meals are more than 8 days apart, but he's calm if he knows it's me before I pick him up. They are both the most gentle creatures I've ever had, especially among snakes.
As to the missing fliers, Stimsons are like most snakes -- great escape artists. I hope it wasn't snake vs snake....
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