An Unwelcome Visitor: Woman Wakes Up to an 8-Foot Python Coiled on Her Chest

A Surprising Awakening

On the night of January 17, 2026, Rachel Bloor experienced a night no one could have prepared for. As she slept in her second-floor bedroom in Brisbane, Queensland, she was startled awake by the unexpected weight of an 8-foot carpet python resting across her chest. Initially thinking it was her dog, she soon realized the chilling truth.

"Oh baby. Don't move. There is like a 2.5-meter python on you," her husband calmly advised her as they grappled with the surreal situation.

Calm In the Face of Fear

Bloor's initial reaction was not one of panic but rather concern for her household pets. She recounted, “I thought if my Dalmatian realized that there's a snake there, it is gonna be carnage.” With instinctual courage, she woke her husband and strategized a plan to get both herself and the dogs out of harm's way.

The Encounter Explained

After ensuring her dogs were safe, Bloor executed an unexpectedly calm maneuver to escape her predicament. She carefully side-shuffled out from under the covers while trying to avoid startling the snake. In her account, she vividly described the moment:

“I sort of side-shuffled out.”

Taking Charge

Rather than calling a professional snake catcher—a common recourse in similar situations—Bloor opted to take matters into her own hands, ushering the python out of her bedroom herself. “I grabbed him,” she asserted, recalling that the python “didn't seem overly freaked out.” Her decisive actions not only reflect her bravery but raise profound questions about the nature of human-wildlife interactions.

Understanding Python Behavior

Carpet pythons, while nonvenomous, pose potential dangers due to their size and strength; they constrict their prey without hesitation. Bloor's experience serves as a reminder that such interactions, while rare, can occur as urban development encroaches on traditional wildlife habitats.

The Bigger Picture: Habitat Encroachment

As real estate and urban infrastructure expand into the bushland of Australia, the risk of wildlife encounters is projected to rise. Kurt Whyte, a snake catcher, commented on this alarming trend: “With this hot weather, we're seeing plenty of them getting out and about and basking in this sun.” He added that homeowners should be aware of potential entry points for snakes, including common household features that unwittingly provide access to these creatures.

The Aftermath

Despite the initial fright, Bloor expressed relief that the creature in her bed was not a more frightening animal. Reflecting on the incident, she noted, “Toads freak me out.” Her story is not just a unique encounter with wildlife, but a larger commentary on the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world.

Conclusions Drawn

Bloor's experience exemplifies the complex dynamics of suburban life and its intersection with wildlife. As we push further into their habitats, encounters like hers may become more frequent. This serves as both a warning and a call to action for residents to remain aware, proactive, and informed about their surroundings.

Stay Prepared

What does this mean for the everyday person? As sensational as this story may be, it provides an opportunity for education about local wildlife and the importance of respecting all creatures cohabiting our neighborhoods. Bloor showed us that sometimes, an unusual situation can serve as a catalyst for awareness and change.