Coming down my driveway recently, I saw a most unusual sight. At first I had no idea what is was. As I got closer and got out of the car it became very apparent that I was looking at two very big carpet pythons.

A carpet python at my place is quite a common site, but two big ones having a wrestle of some sort is not! At first I thought they might have been a mating pair. I forwarded the photos to Dave Burrows from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. He sent them to Nick Clancy, also with the SCRC [Land for Wildlife officer]. Nick replied that these two were most likely two males in ritual combat. Apparently they intertwine in a battle of strength to see which one gets its head higher than the other.

The victor is the one that topples the opponent over, and presumably gains the right to mate with as nearby female. The female releases a chemical attractant or pheromone to attract a mate. In comparison the mating is a relatively subdued affair and usually involves the two lying side by side or slightly intertwined.

From my point of view it was a real thrill to see this in real life. I have seen photos [notably by member Reid Dryden] of brown snakes like this, and photos on the net but never seen it up close. Just reminds me that we are just a part of nature, not its boss!