Spectacular footage has emerged showing the dramatic moment a python dragged a possum into a tree by its head and ate it.
The video was captured by John Holroyd-Doveton, 44, after he looked into the back garden of his Bowen Mountain home, 70kms west of Sydney, in December.
John – originally from the UK – was drawn to the scene after hearing what sounded like animals fighting outside.
Footage has emerged showing the dramatic moment a python dragged a possum into a tree by its head and ate it in the back garden of a home, 70kms west of Sydney
The video was captured by John Holroyd-Doveton, 44, after he looked into the back garden of his Bowen Mountain home in December
But what he found was an eye-opening act of nature that unfolded over more than two and a half hours.
His footage shows the serpent – believed to be a diamond python – dangling from a tree with the possum’s head trapped inside its mouth.
The snake then pulls the possum into the tree’s branches where it strangles the life out of the marsupial by coiling its body around it.
The two animals were eventually left on the ground where the snake finished off its prey, John said.
John – originally from the UK – was drawn to the scene after hearing what sounded like animals fighting outside
His footage shows the serpent – believed to be a diamond python – dangling from a tree with the possum’s head trapped inside its mouth
The snake then pulls the possum into the tree’s branches where it strangles the life out of the marsupial by coiling its body around it
The two animals were eventually left on the ground where the snake finished off its prey, John said
John – who moved into the Bowen Mountain home five months ago having lived in London’s east end – said: ‘I spent 40 years in the UK, and the most wildlife I ever saw was a fox.
‘As sad as it is for the possum, I feel so privileged to see and share this amazing creature doing what it does best.’
He added: ‘I did not disturb or hinder the snake, as I feel it’s just life playing out as it should.’
John said the python hasn’t re-emerged since devouring the possum, but a similar snake was seen on his neighbour’s front lawn.
‘I have since been told these snakes are regular to this area of the Blue Mountains,’ John said.