“Against All Odds: Nike the Carpet Python’s Incredible Comeback from Tick Infestation”
The carpet python who was close to death after being attacked by more than 500 paralysis ticks had made a surprising recovery.
The snake, affectionately known as Nike, was found fighting for his life in a backyard pool, in Coolangatta, on the Gold Coast, last week.
His condition was initially revealed on the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation Facebook page and shared widely by concerned well-wishers.
Staff at the hospital said they had ‘removed 511 ticks, which left Nike very unwell with anaemia’, shortly after he was brought in by snake catcher Tony Harrison.
‘Nike also has a nasty infection which may have caused his immobility, allowing the ticks to take advantage of him,’ the post added.
On Wednesday, the Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers (where Nike was transferred), issued an update on the snake’s condition.
‘Nike is coping well so far, given the state he was in before coming into care with Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers,’ spokeswoman Jasmine Pereira told The Daily Mail.
‘Many more dead ticks have fallen off him since receiving treatment at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, the count increases! His appetite is slowly increasing, although at a much slower pace than a healthy Carpet Python.
While Nike is yet to be given a clean bill of health and released back into the wild, carers are confident he will make a full recovery.
Unfortunately it’s not just snakes that have been targeted by parasites.
The Wildlife Hospital Foundation revealed that a koala had also suffered a similar fate to Nike, after he was found with covered by 100 ticks last week.
The furry marsupial required a blood transfusion but the carers are confident the animal will make a complete recovery.
