Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
- A carpet python was found in the pool of a home in Coolangatta in Gold Coast, Australia, on Thursday.
- The snake was covered in more than 500 paralysis ticks.
- Tony Harrison from Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher posted a Facebook Live video of the recovery of the reptile.
- "What happens is, in Mother Nature, animals can live in harmony with parasites, both internal and external," Harrison said.
- "If something happens to them, the parasites get the better of them," he said. "He's got hundreds of paralysis ticks on him. That's why he's in the water; he's trying to drown them."
A carpet python was found in the pool of a home in Coolangatta in Gold Coast, Australia, on Thursday afternoon.
The snake was covered in more than 500 paralysis ticks.
Here's what that looks like up close:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Tony Harrison from Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher posted a Facebook Live video of the recovery of the reptile.
"What happens is, in Mother Nature, animals can live in harmony with parasites, both internal and external," he said.
"If something happens to them, the parasites get the better of them. He's got hundreds of paralysis ticks on him. That's why he's in the water; he's trying to drown them."
Picking the snake up for a closer inspection, Harrison added, "I've done this for 26 years, and this is the worst I've ever seen."
The python, nicknamed Nike, was later taken to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, where it took vets "hours" to remove the ticks. In the end, 511 paralysis ticks were pulled from the animal.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
"There are still tiny young ones under the scales that will be treated with drugs to kill them," Harrison later posted on Facebook.
Following treatment, Harrison is confident the snake will survive.
Watch the rescue in full here:
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: How to transform into an e-girl