If snakes give you the chills, imagine facing one across a dark Australian road. That’s exactly what happened to Canadian writer Kat Finnerty, who mistook a massive scrub python for a fallen log — until it started moving.
Australia is home to some of the world’s most striking wildlife, and this unexpected encounter proves just how wild things can get.
The Night a “Log” Turned Into a Giant Python
Driving through the darkness, Kat suddenly spotted what looked like a tree trunk blocking the road. As she got closer, the “log” revealed itself as an enormous python stretching across the asphalt.
Was she terrified? Surprisingly, no. Kat’s first thought wasn’t for herself — but for the python. She worried another car might not see it in time and accidentally run it over. Despite admitting she has always been uneasy around snakes, this time she stayed calm, watching in awe as the creature slowly crossed the road.
Thankfully, the python slithered away safely, leaving behind a story she won’t soon forget.
Are Pythons Really Dangerous?
Scrub pythons like the one Kat saw are non-venomous, but they’re still powerful hunters. Instead of venom, they use constriction:
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Wrapping around their prey
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Squeezing until breathing stops
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Swallowing it whole thanks to flexible jaws
Their diet ranges from rodents and birds to larger animals such as wallabies. And while their size can make them intimidating, experts stress that pythons rarely attack humans. They usually strike only if threatened.
Meet the Scrub Python: Australia’s Gentle Giant
The python Kat encountered was likely an amethystine (scrub) python, one of Australia’s largest snakes. Some fascinating facts:
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They can exceed 20 feet in length.
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They climb trees with ease but also move quickly on land and in water.
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Their curved teeth act like hooks, gripping prey securely.
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In the wild, they can live over 20 years.
Far from being monsters, these pythons are an important part of Australia’s ecosystem.
How the Encounter Changed Kat’s Perspective
What could have been a frightening brush with nature instead became a lesson in courage and respect.
“Every single thing that happens, whether good or bad, gives us something,” Kat explained. “Even though I didn’t want this to happen, it gave me profound respect for snakes. I like to tell people to live fearlessly.”
Her takeaway? Sometimes, what scares us most can also teach us the most.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
Kat’s story leaves us with three important reminders:
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Not all scary things are dangerous. Pythons usually avoid humans.
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Respect nature. These snakes keep ecosystems in balance.
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Facing fears builds courage. What feels terrifying at first can transform into a moment of growth.
The scrub python may look intimidating, but in reality, it’s a symbol of Australia’s incredible biodiversity — and a reminder that the wild deserves both respect and space.
So here’s the question: What would you have done if you were in Kat’s place that night?