Waking Up to a Python: An Australian Woman's Shocking Experience

What Happened to Rachel Bloor?

In the quiet of a Brisbane night, Rachel Bloor had a surreal awakening. On January 16, 2026, she stirred in her bed to find a weight on her chest that she initially assumed was her beloved dog. However, as she reached out, she found herself petting an unexpected guest—a massive carpet python.

Half asleep, the shock didn't settle in right away. But as her partner turned on the lamp, a chilling confirmation came: "Oh baby. Don't move. There's like a 2.5m python on you," he warned. In that moment, Bloor's mind raced. What would this mean for her and her pets?

"I thought if my Dalmatian realizes that there's a snake there... it's gonna be carnage."

Reacting to the Unexpected

Despite the initial shock, Bloor's predicament quickly turned into a feat of careful action. With the dogs evacuated from the room and her husband wishing he was out with them, she focused on gently extracting herself from under the covers. "I was shimmying out, thinking, 'Is this really happening? This is so bizarre'," she recounted.

The carpet python, a non-venomous species, was likely inside after squeezing through the window shutters. It doesn't seem irrational that a wild animal could take a leisurely stroll into the warmth of someone's bed. Bloor described herself as unfazed, having grown up on acreage surrounded by various snakes, which helped her maintain a calm demeanor.

What Did She Do Next?

Once successfully free from the python, Bloor took an unexpected stance of kindness towards the creature. Instead of panicking, she casually began to guide the snake back out the way it had entered, demonstrating an understanding and respect for the wildlife. "It was so big that even curled up on me, part of its tail was still outside the shutter," she noted.

According to Bloor, the python remained calm during the entire encounter. She recounted, "I think if you're calm, they're calm," a reflection of her experience with such wildlife. However, she humorously added that she wouldn't have felt the same way if it had been a cane toad, describing them as one of her most dreaded creatures.

The Aftermath and Reflection

In the end, Bloor and her entire household emerged from the shocking experience without any harm. It's a testament to both her quick thinking and a reminder of the wild realities that come with living in proximity to nature. Her experience raises an important conversation about human interaction with wildlife in urban areas and how to coexist peacefully.

Final Thoughts

What stands out in Rachel Bloor's story is not just the initial shock of waking up to a python but the calm and respectful approach she took in dealing with it. Living in Australia, such wildlife encounters can be part of daily life. But Rachel's grace under pressure offers us an opportunity to rethink our relationship with the creatures that share this planet. Should we be fearful, or should we embrace understanding? Perhaps, as Rachel demonstrated, calmness and respect may provide the best way forward.