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Australian cane toads hitch a lift on python's back after storm | Australian cane toads hitch a lift on python's back after storm |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Some called it the Outback Uber - 10 cane toads have been caught riding a python. | |
Paul Mock, of Kununurra in the far north of Western Australia, filmed the bizarre sight after a heavy thunderstorm on Sunday night. | |
The animals were trying to escape an overflowing dam on the Mocks' property when the toads came up with the novel form of transport. | |
Mr Mock sent the images to his brother Andrew, who then posted them online. | Mr Mock sent the images to his brother Andrew, who then posted them online. |
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mock explains he had ventured out after a bad thunderstorm that dropped close to 7cm (2.7in) of rain on Kununurra in the space of an hour. | |
"I went out and the lake had overflowed," he says, and realised the toads, who nested around its edge, were fleeing the rising waters. | "I went out and the lake had overflowed," he says, and realised the toads, who nested around its edge, were fleeing the rising waters. |
"Thousands of toads were all trying to find somewhere to go," he says. "And then I saw Monty our local python with a bunch of hitchhikers on his back." | "Thousands of toads were all trying to find somewhere to go," he says. "And then I saw Monty our local python with a bunch of hitchhikers on his back." |
You might also like: | You might also like: |
The snake, which stretches to a length of 3.5m (11ft 4in), is a regular on Mr Mock's property. | |
"Monty's well known to us," he says. "He hangs around back of our pool and scares my wife when she's hanging up our washing." | "Monty's well known to us," he says. "He hangs around back of our pool and scares my wife when she's hanging up our washing." |
And the python seems smart enough not to have tried to eat his passengers - cane toads carry a deadly toxin which can threaten even larger species like snakes, lizards and crocodiles. | And the python seems smart enough not to have tried to eat his passengers - cane toads carry a deadly toxin which can threaten even larger species like snakes, lizards and crocodiles. |
While online some were horrified or even suggested the photo was staged, most jumped at the chance to make jokes. | While online some were horrified or even suggested the photo was staged, most jumped at the chance to make jokes. |
However, there were also suggestions the cane toad's actions were not so innocent. | However, there were also suggestions the cane toad's actions were not so innocent. |
Conservation biologist Jodi Rowley tweeted that the amphibians were trying to mate with Monty. | Conservation biologist Jodi Rowley tweeted that the amphibians were trying to mate with Monty. |
Ms Rowley posted that the males can get "a bit carried away". | Ms Rowley posted that the males can get "a bit carried away". |