Woman Wakes to 8-Foot Python Curled on Her Chest

When Rachel Bloor felt something heavy on her chest one Monday night, she thought her labradoodle had climbed into bed. Then the weight started moving in her hands.

Her husband flipped on the lights and delivered news that would send most people into panic mode. "Babe, don't move," he said. "There's about a two and a half meter carpet python on top of you."

The massive snake had somehow climbed to the second story of their Brisbane home, pushed through a window shutter, and decided Bloor's bed looked like the perfect spot to rest. While her husband rushed their two dogs out of the room, Bloor was left alone with her unexpected guest.

She carefully shuffled sideways out from under the covers. Once free, she guided the snake back out the window without drama or injury.

Bloor, who grew up on acreage land, said she wasn't scared of the python at all. Her biggest relief? "I was just glad it wasn't a toad. Toads freak me out."

The Bright Side

Snake experts say Bloor did everything right by staying calm and not trying to harm or catch the python herself. Snake catcher Kurt Whyte says people are reporting more sightings not because snake numbers have increased, but because housing developments are replacing their natural habitat.

"Our backyards are offering the perfect habitat," Whyte explained. Gaps in garage doors and open windows provide easy entry points for snakes looking for shelter.

The timing matters too. Breeding season just ended and eggs are hatching, meaning more snakes are out basking in Australia's summer heat.

When a couple at The Llama Farm in Ipswich accidentally injured a mother python while trimming grass, they immediately called professionals who rescued 16 eggs. Those baby pythons are now being incubated and will be released back on the property once they hatch.

Both incidents show what Whyte and fellow snake catcher Tiarnah Kingaby emphasize most: never try to move or catch a snake yourself. About 90 percent of recent snake bites happened when people interfered instead of calling professionals.

Coexisting with wildlife means giving them space and respect, even when they end up in surprising places like your bedroom.