Astonishing Sight of 3.5m Python Carrying 10 Cane Toads to Seek Shelter Amidst a Storm

Amidst a severe storm in Northern Australia last weekend, an intriguing scene unfolded as ten cane toads hitched a ride on the back of a 3.5-meter python to seek shelter from the tempest.

According to scmp.com, Paul and Anne Mock were at their home with their children in the remote town of Kununurra, located in Western Australia, when a large storm descended, drenching their water reservoir with heavy rain.

Concerned about the risk of the dam breaking, Paul Mock ventured outside amidst the torrential downpour. “The reservoir was so full that all the cane toad burrows around the banks were underwater, and the toads were sitting on the grass – there must have been thousands of them,” he stated.

At the same time, Monty, a 3.5-meter python, was also present in the grassy area, attempting to escape the flooded surroundings. As a result, audacious cane toads leaped onto its back, hitching a ride.

“The python was moving across the grass at full speed with the toads clinging all over it,” recalled Mock. “I found it fascinating that some local reptiles have become accustomed to cane toads and do not eat them.”

Mock’s brother, Andrew, captured the peculiar scene in a photograph and shared it on Twitter, which garnered numerous comments reflecting horror, astonishment, or amusement at this unique “Uber driver.”

Jodi Rowley, an amphibian expert and senior lecturer in biological sciences at the University of New South Wales, tweeted that the cane toads may have been attempting to mate with the python.

Cane toads are an invasive species in the tropical regions of Northern Australia. Over the past few decades, they have invaded communities, wreaked havoc on ecosystems, and decimated numerous native animal species, often resulting in fatalities after ingesting this peculiar and highly toxic “invader.”

This remarkable event serves as a reminder of the complex interactions and adaptations that occur in nature, even amidst challenging circumstances such as severe storms.

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