Cow Caught Chewing On A Large Python In Outback Northern Australia

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ABC NewsNews HomeCow caught chewing on a large python in outback northern AustraliaShareShare articleCow caught chewing on a large python in outback northern Australia

  • By Damien Larkins

  • By Dan Prosser

  • ABC Western Qld

  • Topic:Animal Attacks

Wed 28 Oct 2020Wednesday 28 October 2020Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 6:16am
A close up of a cow eating a snake on the Sandover Highway outside Lake Nash Station

The Top End, where the cattle are so tough they suck on snakes. (Supplied: Andrew Gertz)

abc.net.au/news/cow-eating-snake-photos-outback-australia/12822382ShareShare article

A gobsmacked outback worker has captured photos of a cow apparently trying to swallow a snake in a bizarre roadside scene in remote northern Australia.

Key points:

  • A passing driver snapped pictures of a cow with the head of a large sand python in its mouth
  • The photographer, Andrew Gertz, says he first thought the cow had a bone
  • A grazier says cattle are known to chew carcasses but snake snacks are unheard of

Refrigeration mechanic Andrew Gertz came across the bovine snake catcher as he drove on the deserted Sandover Highway about 300 kilometres from Lake Nash Station in the Northern Territory.

"When I got closer I could see it was a sand python hanging out of its mouth," said Mr Gertz, from Camooweal, northern Queensland.

"It's kind of sucked its head off back to the bone.

"I've seen cows with bone and hides ... I thought it might have been a bone."

He stopped to snap these photos.

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Mr Gertz said he couldn't figure out how the non-venomous snake's head came to be in the cow's mouth, speculating the cow might have stepped on or disturbed the snake that then "latched onto its tongue".

A cow eating a snake outside Lake Nash Station in the Northern Territory

Cattle are known for chewing bones and hide to supplement their diets, but snakes are unusual. (Supplied: Andrew Gertz)

Cows known to chew carrion

Western Queensland cattle grazier and natural historian Angus Emmott said cattle were known to scavenge on dead kangaroos and cattle to supplement their diets, especially in the red dust of outback Queensland, but he had no doubt python sucking was unusual.

"I have never seen one chew a snake," Mr Emmott said.

A cow wanders off after dropping a half-eaten snake in the Northern Territory

Mr Gertz reports the cow seems unfazed by its unusual meal. (Supplied: Andrew Gertz)

He said the cow might have been "chewing it for both protein and trace elements".

"Their body tells them what they need and they'll go and chase it down if it's available," he said.

Mr Gertz said the cow seemed unfazed by its unusual meal and his interest, dropped the dead snake and wandered off.

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