This is a southwestern carpet python. I saw two individuals on my hike, kilometres apart. I’ve been to this area dozens of times and never seen one, so today was my lucky day!

Normally I only ever see venomous snakes which I don’t ever get close to if I can help it. Although a couple weekends ago I deadass stepped on a highly venomous dugite snake, but it didn’t bite me. I just about shat my own heart out and it disappeared into the grass.

Both pythons were about 2m long, and were sunning on rocks when I came across them. They’re fairly placid and not aggressive so I was able to get reasonably close to take a photo.

The other one was in a more wooded area near a creek. About the same size.