Placeholder Content Image

Monty Python star's candid financial admission

<p>Monty Python star Eric Idle has made a candid admission about the state of his finances, revealing why he still has to work at the age of 80. </p> <p>The comic legend admitted he receives only a fraction of the millions the Python team have made in the past because the finances are a “disaster”.</p> <p>In messages on X, formerly Twitter, Idle wrote: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded”.</p> <p>“I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously."</p> <p>“I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.”</p> <p>Idle also took aim at TV lawyer Holly Gilliam, the daughter of fellow Python member Terry Gilliam, who took over the Python brand in 2013 as part of HDG Projects Ltd. </p> <p>He said, “I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised”.</p> <p>“One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”</p> <p>Daughter Lily Idle backed him, writing online, “I’m so proud of my dad for finally finally finally starting to share the truth.”</p> <p>The Pythons, who also included John Cleese, 84, Michael Palin, 80, and the late Terry Jones — made a fortune thanks to their iconic cult films, including <em>Life of Brian</em>, hit stage show <em>Spamalot</em>, which Idle co-wrote, and the original <em>Flying Circus</em> BBC TV series.</p> <p>They were back in the limelight in 2014 with <em>Monty Python Live (Mostly) — One Down, Five to Go</em>: a reference to former member Graham Chapman who died in 1989 aged just 48.</p> <p>It featured interpretations of some of their famous sketches, and reportedly earned the surviving members at least £2 million ($3.87m AUD) each.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Retirement Income

Placeholder Content Image

"I've lost complete blood flow": Robert Irwin's near miss with python

<p>Young wildlife warrior Robert Irwin suffered a near miss during a rescue mission over the weekend, when he tried to relocate a carpet python off the road. </p> <p>The 19-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday to share a video of him almost getting bit by the wild snake. </p> <p>"Gee, that gets the heart rate up - he missed me by that much," he said when the snake struck at him. </p> <p>"He's grumpy... he's really keen on biting me... what a gorgeous snake, he's big, he's not venomous but... they're designed to constrict," he said as the python began wrapping its body around his arm to ''constrict" him. </p> <p>"He's got a good grip there, I've lost complete blood flow to my hand, it's completely blue.. and I have no feeling left in my hand," he added. </p> <p>He eventually managed to rescue the snake, and relocated it to a safe spot in the bush the day after. </p> <p>"Near miss! Definitely had a good laugh with this grumpy carpet python - but great to get him rescued off the road and relocated to a much safer spot!" he captioned the post. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Fc3k-hiy9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Fc3k-hiy9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans shared their shock and couldn't help but comment on how much the young conservationist was like his late father, Steve Irwin. </p> <p>"Dude you are killing us with these like-father-like-son bits,"  one fan wrote. </p> <p>"Holy crap. I actually thought I was watching Steve for a second and it took me back a moment. He's very much still alive in his family. No doubt about that," another added. </p> <p>"This is precarious yet hiss-terical !😂 all at the same time. Thank you for helping snakey dude slither to safety! 👍🏼💕" added a fellow conservationist. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

"Coca coila": Robert Irwin rescues a python stuck in a vending machine

<p>Robert Irwin has successfully rescued a carpet python stuck a vending machine at Australia Zoo. </p> <p>The young conservationist took to Instagram to share the moment he rescued the snake with the caption: "So this was a first for me…"</p> <p>The carpet python was visibly stuck behind a few soft drink bottles, and as the vending machine was being opened, the 19-year-old joked, "here's our chance, free Coca Cola!"</p> <p>He then got down to business, trying to coax the snake out while explaining, "what we don't want is for him to go up into the wiring.</p> <p>"We don't want to make him too upset, 'cause we want him to come out nice and smooth," he added as he pulled the snake out of the vending machine. </p> <p>The young conservationist sounded exactly like his late father, Steve Irwin, as he tried to calm down the non-venomous snake. </p> <p>"Keep coming, mate, keep coming. Nearly there buddy, nearly there," he said. </p> <p>As he examined the snake, he pointed out that the snake must have gotten injured before. </p> <p>"This bloke has obviously got a spirit of getting himself caught in weird situations, 'cause he's missing the end of his tail. </p> <p>"We'll relocate this guy," he assured, as the snake wrapped around his arm, Robert wags a finger at him and jokingly says: "don't go in any more vending machines, alright?!"</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw7cZl4hX4C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw7cZl4hX4C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were in awe at Robert's striking resemblance to his late dad, and praised him for skills. </p> <p>"God you are the spitting image of the old man. He would be proud as punch," commented one fan. </p> <p>"I can hear his dad, “no more being a naughty boy!”" wrote another. </p> <p>"Call him coca coila," another quipped. </p> <p>"Watching you is like watching your dad many years ago. You're just such an incredible human," commented a fourth.  </p> <p>"Your dad must be screaming in the high heavens “that’s my boy” look at him fearless with the snake!" wrote another. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

"Indescribable loss": Sir Michael Palin shares tragic news

<p>Sir Michael Palin has revealed that his beloved wife, Helen Gibbins, has died.</p> <p>Palin made the devastating announcement on his own website, with an update titled ‘Helen’. </p> <p>“My dearest wife Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning,” he wrote. “She had been suffering with chronic pain for several years, which was compounded a few years ago by a diagnosis of kidney failure.</p> <p>“We first met on a summer holiday on the Suffolk coast when we were both sixteen and we married in our early twenties. Two and a half weeks ago we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary.</p> <p>“Her death is an indescribable loss for myself, our three children and four grandchildren.</p> <p>“Helen was the bedrock of my life. Her quietly wise judgement informed all my decisions and her humour and practical good sense was at the heart of our life together.</p> <p>“The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”</p> <p>Just one year prior, Palin had also revealed that the then-79-year-old Helen had moved into respite care, with <em>The Guardian</em> reporting it was due to her body not responding to pain medications.</p> <p>As he told <em>The Telegraph</em> at the time, “I don’t think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it.</p> <p>“It’s such a bore. She was so active and still is, mentally. But we’re both getting on a bit. The body is declining. She’s going to be 80 in October, I’m going to be 80 at the beginning of next year. </p> <p>“We live life with our fingers crossed.”</p> <p>The 79-year-old comedian had enjoyed over a half-century of marriage with his “dearest wife”, after the two first crossed paths at the tender age of 16, with the pair even celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary mere weeks before her passing.</p> <p>Gibbins - who spent her days working as both a teacher and a bereavement counsellor - shared three children with Palin - 54-year-old Thomas, 52-year-old William, and 48-year-old Rachel. </p> <p>In his 2015 interview with <em>The Telegraph</em>, the actor opened up about his experience meeting Gibbins on a holiday in Southwold, naming her “a vision of rebellion”, and how they kept in touch after going home.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the pair lost touch again for the next two years, until they ran into each other once again through mutual friends at Oxford University. </p> <p>As Palin himself said of the less-than-ideal start to their lengthy relationship, “you can see fate was actually tightening the screws on us very hard at that time.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Outback wrangler helps his son tackle a two-metre python

<p>The world famous "outback wrangler" has divided the internet after sharing a video of his two-year-old son wrestling with a python. </p> <p><span>Matt Wright, who runs the Top End Safari camp in the Northern Territory, posted a video to Instagram of his son Banjo grappling with an olive python's tail, one of the largest snakes in Australia.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>Matt, who also hosts the popular National Geographic show <em>Outback Wrangler</em>, captioned the video "learning the ropes", as Banjo follows in his dad's footsteps. </span></p> <p><span>In the video, Banjo is seen dressed in his outback khaki outfit, as he desperately tries to pull the massive snake away from the family's property.</span><span></span></p> <p>“Pull him out buddy, pull him out,” Wright said, as Banjo holds onto the snake’s tail.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdYl01hDbV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdYl01hDbV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MATT WRIGHT - OUTBACK WRANGLER (@mattwright)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>“Oh no, he’s wrapped up, here I’ll help you,” he added, as the python wraps himself around the pole and heads towards Wright’s feet.</span></p> <p><span>Matt helps his son untangle the snake from the pole of the house's exterior, before encouraging Banjo to keep pulling the snake back towards the bushes. </span></p> <p>When the snake refuses to budge, Banjo drops the tail and yells, “Oh no, oh no” before running back to his dad.</p> <p>Matt continues to encourage his son, before sweeping him off the ground when the toddler almost puts himself in a dangerous position. </p> <p>“Watch out, he’ll bite ya,” Wright said.</p> <p>“What are we gonna do? Go back and grab the tail. There you go, grab the tail. Two hands! Two hands!”</p> <p>Banjo appears to lose interest in taking the snake back to the bushes, with Wright trying to encourage his son again.</p> <p>“Quick, grab him, he’s going to bite Dad,” Wright jokes.</p> <p>The video was praised by many, with a lot of commenters comparing Matt's relationship with Banjo to the late Steve Irwin's relationship with Bindi. </p> <p>Despite the many positive comments, the wild clip wasn't received well by some. </p> <p>“Normally I love your videos but I’m not a fan of this behaviour. No need to stress the animal just for an Instagram video,” one wrote.</p> <p>“In America they would call child services lol,” another added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @mattwright</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Woolworths shopper finds python snake in the spice section

<p>A woman shopping at Woolworths in Glenorie says she was looking in the spice aisle and her face was suddenly 20cm away from a three-metre-long python.</p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, the shopper – Helaina Alati - said: “I was browsing and turned to my left and he had come out and his face was about 20cm from mine, just looking at me.”</p> <p>“It was almost like he was asking me to take him outside!</p> <p>“I just happened to be the one that found it.</p> <p>“He must have been there for at least a few hours. He was sort of hidden behind the spices and I didn’t see him at first.</p> <p>As luck would have it, Alati is a former volunteer snake catcher, so she offered to rescue the slithery fellow.</p> <p>“It was super mellow, not aggressive at all. I’m guessing he came down from the ceiling. He was about 10ft (3 metres) long!” she said.</p> <p>“I’m glad I’m the one that found him, most people would have freaked out!” she added.</p> <p>“I told the staff I used to be a volunteer snake catcher so I grabbed my snake bag and relocated him into the bush.”</p> <p>Most shoppers at Woolworths would’ve have been so calm to find a three-metre python in the spice aisle of their local supermarket, but Alati said there was nothing to worry about.</p> <p>“He was so relaxed and non-aggressive,” she said.</p> <p>“Don’t want to demonise these beautiful animals anymore!”</p> <p>Alati bundled the python into a material bag and released the snake safely to the surrounding bushland shortly after.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Woolworths told 7NEWS.com.au the matter was dealt with calmly and safely.</p> <p>“A slippery and rare customer was spotted in the spice aisle of our Glenorie store yesterday morning,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“Once it was sighted, our team members reacted quickly and calmly to cordon off the area for the safety of customers.</p> <p>“A snake catcher removed the slithery customer, who was released safely into bushland shortly after.”</p> <p>It’s still unknown as to how the snake came to be inside the store but it’s believed Woolworths has animal control measures in place and the Glenorie store has done some checks of these measures.</p> <p><em>Photo: 7NEWS.com.au</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Florida man goes head to head with five-metre python in terrifying battle

<p>A man who wrangled with a five-metre python has come out bruised and battered, but clearly proud of winning the battle against the serpent “monster.”</p> <p>Burmese Pythons are considered invasive species in Florida as they eat indigenous animals. </p> <p>Mr Kimmel says he went in search of “an invasive man eater” on June 7 to Martin County Trapping &amp; Wildlife Rescue, but quickly realised “she wasn’t coming without a fight” after finding one in a swamp.</p> <p>“I noticed her almost immediately as soon as we crossed paths, I could barely contain my excitement,” he wrote in a heartyFacebook post.</p> <p>“She definitely was not afraid of me and started to slowly cruise through the vegetation as I carefully walked next to her trying to gauge exactly how large she was because of all the grass and weeds it was hard to tell but I could tell she was an absolute monster.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836543/burmese-python-man.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/45e85b14e9384e98a8e28e37ae2d462b" /></p> <p><em>Image: Facebook</em></p> <p>He wrote she was tangled in vegetation making her capture difficult and described the animal as 68kg of “solid muscle”.</p> <p>“I knew going for her head first would be the easiest and safest capture method but I couldn’t turn down the chance to grab her by the tail and dance with the devil herself,” he wrote.</p> <p>“As soon as I grabbed a hold of her I sealed my fate. No turning back now, she was coming for me. </p> <p>“She immediately started to battle it out, taking strikes and pulling me into some tall grass with her, making it difficult to dodge her strikes. She was able to successfully get a bite on me.”</p> <p>Mr Kimmel’s arm went to explain he was punctured by her fangs, “piercing an artery and hitting some nerves”. </p> <p>Despite the damage, the pair continued to battle. </p> <p>Embed image </p> <p>“After losing about a gallon of blood I was able to tire her out and get her under control,” he wrote.</p> <p>“I then used a snake bag I had on my waist to tourniquet my arm because I was getting worried about how much blood I was losing, better safe than sorry. </p> <p>“I then had to drag all 150lbs (68kg) of her alive, working to control my breathing so I didn’t pass out from blood loss and the extreme heat that day, I would have been screwed.”</p> <p>The snake catcher says once he got the snake back to his boat, he euthanised her.</p> <p>It hasn’t officially been measured, but Mr Kimmel claims the snake was five-metres long and included a photo of it draped over his shoulders.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Python eats massive cat

<p><span>A Queensland snake catcher has filmed the moment he caught a carpet python which had just swallowed a pet cat.</span></p> <p><span>Luke Huntley, from Noosa, was called to a home in the state’s southeast town of Kin Kin to relocate the non-venomous snake, which was hiding behind boxes by the yard. A large bulge could be seen in the middle of the snake’s body.</span></p> <p><span>“The cat was a very big boy. The snake also is pretty big too but it goes to show that even a massive cat is at risk of being eaten,” he wrote.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSnakeCatcherNoosa%2Fvideos%2F180371189836421%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=560" width="560" height="502" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p><span>Huntley advised cat owners to keep their pets indoors in the aftermath of the bushfires.</span></p> <p><span>“An indoor cat is a safe cat,” he said in the clip, citing cars as the main danger to felines. </span></p> <p><span>“Also, guys, if you do care about our wildlife, if you’re really upset by what’s happening with the bushfires in Australia and a lot of wildlife that died, then keep your cats inside because your cat will contribute to that, too.”</span></p> <p><span>According to <a href="https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/wildlife-factsheets/domestic-pets-and-wildlife">Wildlife Rescue</a>, domestic cats and dogs pose a serious threat to wildlife by taking prey on other, more vulnerable species, including small mammals and birds.</span></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Tributes flow in upon the passing of Monty Python's Terry Jones

<p>Monty Python stars Michael Palin and John Cleese have led the tributes to Terry Jones, who has died at the age of 77.</p> <p>The actor and writer died at his North London home on Tuesday evening, four years after he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.</p> <p>“His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programs, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath,” Jones’ family said in a statement.</p> <p>“We, his wife Anna, children Bill, Sally, Siri and extended family would like to thank Terry’s wonderful medical professionals and carers for making the past few years not only bearable but often joyful. We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely.”</p> <p>Tributes have flowed for the late Python, with fellow <em>Flying Circus </em>stars leading the remembrance.</p> <p>“It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away,” John Cleese wrote.</p> <p>“Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of <em>Life of Brian</em>. Perfection.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Just heard about Terry J<br /><br />It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away...<br /><br />Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. Perfection<br /><br />Two down, four to go</p> — John Cleese (@JohnCleese) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCleese/status/1219979583719690241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us,” said Eric Idle.</p> <p>Co-writer Sir Michael Palin told PA news agency: “He was kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.</p> <p>“He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest, most wonderful company you could wish to have.”</p> <p>Other celebrities and comedy figures also honoured Jones on social media.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind</p> — Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1219968120686813184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">May the dear, great Terry Jones find eternal peace in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. Or more likely of Brian.</p> — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/1220026467070832640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">May the dear, great Terry Jones find eternal peace in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. Or more likely of Brian.</p> — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/1220026467070832640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">💔 <a href="https://t.co/GRiFTZXztV">pic.twitter.com/GRiFTZXztV</a></p> — Pegg News (@simonpegg) <a href="https://twitter.com/simonpegg/status/1219971220801753089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Jones’ comedy series <em>Monty Python’s Flying Circus </em>first aired in October 1969. The show propelled the Monty Python group’s popularity and was followed by a number of films, including <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</em> (1975), <em>Life of Brian</em> (1979) and <em>The Meaning of Life</em> (1983).</p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

20kg mating pythons crash through Queensland couple’s ceiling

<p>It’s snake breeding season in Cairns, North Queensland,<span> and a local couple got the shock of their lives as two massive pythons crashed through their ceiling whilst mating.</span></p> <p>The pair looked up to see the ceiling flex and crack under the weight of the two pythons, who are estimated to be about 20kg each. The pair managed to slither into the couple’s home via the roof.</p> <p>The size of the pythons and the rigorous activity was too much for the ceiling and the pythons crashed onto the floor.</p> <p>Matt Hagan and Jason Legg of Cairns Snake Catchers were called into the home.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcairnssnakecatcher%2Fposts%2F2369206379992662&amp;width=500" width="500" height="795" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>“Extracting this dynamic duo was no easy feat and ultimately resulted in the ceiling giving way as these snakes made a particularly dramatic entry into the office!” the snake catchers wrote on Facebook on Sunday.</p> <p>“If you are lucky enough to host a scrub python party in your roof space this breeding season (end of July to late September) it can get pretty wild as males fight each other to impress females,” they warned.</p> <p>“Occasionally these interactions can result in strange smells wafting through different rooms, and even structural damage to your house in the form or ceiling stains or cracks.”</p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Woman relives horrifying encounter with snake in her bedroom

<p>A Brisbane woman who was recovering from a late night flight was woken up by what she described as something “flicking her face” – however, she didn’t think she would see a snake when she opened her eyes.</p> <p>Sally Stent returned to her home at 2am, not knowing a python was in her bedroom as she slept peacefully.</p> <p>After five hours, Ms Stent said she had been awoken by a giant python.</p> <p>“I opened my eyes and the snake was a couple of centimetres from my face looking at me. It was 5-10cm from my face. I had to focus my eyeballs to see it. It was right in there,” she told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&amp;dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fquestnews%2Fsouthwest%2Fpython-uses-tongue-to-rouse-woman-from-slumber%2Fnews-story%2Fc0fe44cf81a4019e6202747b445a5e43&amp;memtype=anonymous&amp;mode=premium" target="_blank"><em>Courier Mail</em>.</a></p> <p>The slithery reptile was hanging from her beside lamp and had put his face close to Ms Stent’s.</p> <p>Although surprised, the young woman said she didn’t jump or scream, but instead remained calm and left the room.</p> <p>Her father, who was home at the time, was made a cup of tea to calm him down before he became aware of the startling news.</p> <p>“I said, ‘By the way, there’s a snake in my bedroom’. It took him 15 minutes to calm down and by that time, the snake had disappeared, and he thought I’d made it up,” she explained.  </p> <p>Ms Stent said the giant python was removed by a local snake catcher who managed to coax the reptile from its hiding place.</p> <p>The snake had reportedly slithered in through an open window, looking for a safe place to digest its last meal.</p> <p>Thankfully, Ms Stent confirmed she had learnt her lesson from the scary ordeal.</p> <p>“I have fly screens now on every window in the house. I was a bit too cool for fly screens before but now I’m not,” she said. </p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Woman bitten on bum after terrifying toilet snake encounter

<p>A Brisbane snake catcher has shared a story on yet another terrifying encounter with wild reptiles at home.</p> <p>Helen Richards was visiting her sister-in-law’s home in Chapel Hill, Brisbane, on a quiet Tuesday afternoon when she decided to go to the toilet. She did not turn on the light as she was not planning on staying there for long.</p> <p>But she was sitting on the toilet bowl when she felt something bite her “mid-stream”.</p> <p>Richards said she jumped up immediately.</p> <p>“I jumped up with my pants down and turned around to see what looked like a longneck turtle receding back into the bowl,” Richards told the <a href="https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/queensland-mum-bitten-snake-toilet/3630692/"><em>Gold Coast Bulletin</em></a>.</p> <p>To her horror, it turned out to be a 1.6m-long carpet python.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwww.snakecatchers.com.au%2Fposts%2F947720618749885&amp;width=500" width="500" height="721" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>“Unfortunately, the snake’s preferred exit point was blocked after being spooked by the customer sitting down and it simply lashed out in fear,” the snake catcher explained in a Facebook post.</p> <p>The snake catcher said they arrived promptly with first aid to help treat “the few small puncture marks left by the snake”, which were non-venomous.</p> <p>The snake handler praised Richards for remembering not to flush the toilet, as it might cause the snake to retreat down into the pipes again.</p> <p>“[Richards] handled the situation like an absolute champ, having a sense of humour about it the entire time,” said the catcher.</p> <p>“She said her toilet habits have forever changed! Lights will be on, and she will always give the bowl a quick glance before sitting down.”</p> <p>The snake catcher said finding snakes in toilets is a “regular occurrence”. They advised anyone who found themselves in a similar situation as Richards’ to avoid poking and prodding the snake. </p> <p>“Put the lid down, secure it, and call a snake catcher.”</p> <p>Have you ever found a snake in your toilet? Share your stories below.</p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

The sneaky spot huge snake was hiding in elderly man’s home

<p>An elderly man was in for a shock after a slithery reptile made itself comfortable by coiling up inside an upright piano inside his home.</p> <p>Earlier this month, the man found a carpet python originally hiding in his laundry at his home in Drayton, an outer suburb of Toowoomba located in the southeast of Queensland.</p> <p>By the time he called Ally Wilkinson, a licensed snake catcher from Toowoomba Snake Catchers 24/7, the reptile slithered up inside the musical instrument as he sought refuge.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwww.raptinreptiles.com.au%2Fvideos%2F329070741205578%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“They get into some interesting places that’s for sure,” Ms Wilkinson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/sneaky-snakes-bizarre-hiding-spot-elderly-mans-home-023454296.html" target="_blank">Yahoo7</a>.</p> <p>With the help of the resident, Ms Wilkinson was able to get to the snake after moving around furniture to gain access to the nook the reptile decided to hide in.</p> <p>The curious creature curled up in the back corner of the instrument, forcing Ms Wilkinson to poke at it to have it adjust its position.</p> <p>“Once I was able to get into where he was, it was actually easy to get it,” said Ms Wilkinson.</p> <p>“It was very dirty from the dust and spiderwebs in there.”</p> <p>It is assumed the snake made its way inside the home through the backyard door.</p> <p>“He kept an eye on it and knew exactly where it went, which made my job a lot easier when I got there,” Ms Wilkinson said of the slithering resident.</p> <p>The elderly man didn’t seem too fussed when it came to having the python around, as his yard constantly sees venomous snakes paying a visit, but he wanted it gone before he headed off to work.</p> <p>“Just in the house is a bit too close for comfort,” said Ms Wilkinson.</p> <p>According to the snake catcher, the snake could have potentially been dangerous.</p> <p>“Better to avoid them in general and get a professional out who can remove them safely,” she said. </p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Can you spot the snake hidden on this deck?

<p>Australia is a lucky country. We have beautiful landscapes, a laid-back culture, incredible cities and some of the best beaches in the world. So, what’s the trade off for living Down Under? We have to deal with the odd snake from time to time.</p> <p>A family from Buderim, Queensland, found this out first-hand over the weekend, when they discovered a python which had cleverly hidden itself on their back deck.</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastSnakeCatchers/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers</strong></em></span></a> were called out to the property and tasked with the job of removing the serpent, but once they arrived they had a little trouble finding it, posting the below photo. Can you spot the cleverly hidden python?</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSunshineCoastSnakeCatchers%2Fphotos%2Fa.1484959141755876.1073741830.1483562515228872%2F1949230368662082%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="541" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>If you can’t, don’t worry. You’re not the only one! We’ve highlighted where this deceptively clever serpent has hidden itself, scroll through the gallery above to see where.</p> <p>'This little coastal carpet python couldn't have been more than a week old,' Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers posted on Facebook.</p> <p>'The little guy decided that curling up in the very corner of the outdoor lounge would be a safe place to laze away the day.'</p> <p>Have you ever had an encounter with a snake? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers  </em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Queensland woman finds terrifying visitor in bed

<p><span>A Queensland homeowner has woken up in the middle of the night to find a large and unwelcome visitor resting near her pillow.</span></p> <p><span>The female resident woke up at 3 am to find a python curled up on her bed near her head.</span></p> <p><span>On Tuesday, Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers posted a photo of the visitor, explaining it had lived in the roof at the Emundi home and would retrieve back into hiding after popping out briefly.</span></p> <p><span>The photo shows the python resting right near her pillow on top of the mattress.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FReptileCatcher%2Fphotos%2Fa.645617402181302.1073741829.623914847684891%2F1518257804917253%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="600" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>"One night she woke to find the snake curled up in the bed with her at 3am!" The Snake Catcher 24/7 – Sunshine Coast wrote alongside the picture.</span></p> <p><span>"Crazy. Snakes don't want to hurt us, sometimes they just want to snuggle."</span></p> <p><span>The Snake Catcher reminded Aussies to install fly screens and keep doors and windows locked to prevent a similar occurrence from unfolding.</span></p> <p><span>"Snake in a bed is not common. Snakes getting in houses [is] because people leave doors and windows open," they said.</span></p> <p><span>Have you ever found a snake in your home? Tell us about your experience in the comments below. </span></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Aussie man's frightening discovery under sofa cushion

<p><span>A man on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast made a shock discovery over the weekend when he went to relax on his couch on Saturday morning.</span></p> <p><span>Curling up in front of the TV and hiding under a sofa cushion was a large carpet python.</span></p> <p><span>It is believed the 2.5m snake came into the Cooroy house through an open verandah and then slid its way onto the sofa.</span></p> <p><span>The family then called Noosa Snake Catcher Luke Huntley to safely remove the snake that weighed just under 10kg.</span></p> <p><span>"I started laughing when I saw where it was," Mr Huntley told Yahoo7.</span></p> <p><span>"He went to sit in the spot where he usually goes to watch TV, so he went to move the cushion out of the way, but there was a big snake sitting in his spot," Snake Catcher Luke Huntley said.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSnakeCatcherNoosa%2Fvideos%2F914605282031896%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>"It was the biggest snake I've caught indoors before."</span></p> <p><span>Luke explained that the snake had stayed in the same position after coming into the house to escape the wet weather on Friday night and stayed indoors as it was a hot Saturday morning.</span></p> <p><span>“So many people leave their door open for the airflow or if they have a dog or cat.</span></p> <p><span>"It's the most common way snakes get in.</span></p> <p><span>"If you don't want snakes inside the house, keep your doors and windows closed," Luke said.</span></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Queensland mother spots monster two-metre python in backyard

<p>Queensland mother Megan Manly has described the “nightmare” of spotting a two-metre python in her backyard, before barricading herself and her toddler inside.</p> <p>It could have been much worse though, as she had repaid a hole in the screen door just two hours before discovering the menacing serpent lurking outside.</p> <p>Had she failed to do so, the massive snake might have been able to make its way inside where she was taking cover with her two-year-old son, Sam.</p> <p>"I was about to leave the house to pick up my eldest son from school when I saw my dog up on his hunches, with his hair standing up looking outside," she told the <em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em>.</p> <p>"Before the snake catcher came I had barricaded us in the lounge, in case the snake came through the screen door. If I hadn't have fixed it earlier that day, it would have come inside."</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmegan.manly.56%2Fvideos%2F10156416796495839%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=560" width="560" height="543" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>Ms Manley shared footage of a snake catcher coming to the rescue, pulling the enormous serpent out of harm’s way and deftly placing it inside a bag.</p> <p>"It was horrific - I am petrified of snakes... I can take spiders, sharks and I would even rather a grizzly bear in my backyard over a snake," she told the <em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em>.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you ever encountered a snake this big?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Megan Manly </em></p>

Home & Garden

Our Partners