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Python Rescued From A Pool After It Was Covered In Over 500 Ticks

Python Rescued From A Pool After It Was Covered In Over 500 Ticks

The snake was apparently trying to drown the bugs

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Snakes are pretty creepy animals, they're scaly, they slither along the floor, and a fair few of them can actually kill you with one bite.

But what's even weirder than a regular snake? I'll tell you, one that's covered head to tail in hundreds of ticks. Just have a look at this guy.

Vets had to work for hours to try and save the life of one very unlucky carpet python after it was found with more than 500 of the little creatures stuck to its body.

Snake catchers Tony and Brooke Harrison found the struggling reptile in the pool behind a home in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, yesterday.

The experienced snake handler told the owner of the pool that the python was actually trying to drown the ticks, before pulling it out of the water.

It was then Currumbin Wildlife Hospital where vets painstakingly removed the bugs. In the end, 511 paralysis ticks were pulled off its skin.

The carpet python was covered in more than 500 paralysis ticks, according to the snake catcher.
Facebook/Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher

Mr Harrison then shared a video on his Facebook page and informed his followers about the bizarre discovery.

He wrote: "What happens is, in Mother Nature animals can live in harmony with parasites both internal and external.

"If something happens to them the parasites get the better of them.

"He's got hundreds of paralysis ticks on him. That's why he's in the water, he's trying to drown them."

Vets removed 513 ticks but they think Nike will make a full recovery.
Facebook/Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher

He added: "I've done this for 26 years and this is the worst I've ever seen."

Mr Harrison then wrote an update on the page. He said: "There are still tiny young ones under the scales that will be treated with drugs to kill them."

The snake was apparently trying to drown the ticks in the pool.
Facebook/Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher

Fortunately, after being treated by specialists at the hospital, the snake catcher said he was confident that the python - named Nike - will make a recovery.

He added to his update, later: "Ok everyone. Old Nike is still being treated ..But the vets worked for hours to remove the visible ticks...There are still tiny young ones under the scales that will be treated with drugs to kill them...But this poor carpet python was living with a whopping 511 ticks....Wow. 511. Toni Turner got it at 513."

In a later video Mr Harrison said Nike was doing well and thanked people for sharing their best wishes with the animal and caring for snakes which have an 'undeserved reputation'.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher

Topics: World News, Interesting, Animals