New exhibits slither into zoo
HE'S not an animal you'd like to encounter unaware and defenceless.
With lengths of up to nine metres recorded, the Reticular Python is as strong as it is huge - and one is now calling Darling Downs Zoo home.
As well as the Reticular Python, the Pilton zoo has just welcomed a number of slithery guests in time for the school holidays - an Anaconda and two Burmese pythons.
Darling Downs Zoo owner Stephanie Robinson said the arrival of the limbless reptiles were part of their intention to expand the range of animals.
"We want to try and get an overall picture of the animal collection," she said.
"We've got a good representation of Asia, with the pythons, antelope, deer and paddock animals and from South America we've got the boa constrictor, monkeys and anaconda.
"And the koalas are waving the Aussie flag, so we're slowly getting the collection rounded out."
The Reticulated Python weighs 25kg, while the Burmese weigh 15kg each.
While the zoo keepers would like to feed the snakes a diet of rabbits, Mrs Robinson said they weren't so easy to come by.
"Unfortunately we can't get rabbits easily in Queensland but they'd be great," she said.
"We're feeding them things like guinea pigs which isn't a big feed, so we have to get a few for them."
Through the school holidays, Darling Downs Zoo will remain open seven days a week from 9am-4pm. The jungle giants talk will be held at 1.30pm daily.
