There are quite a few surfers who take their animals out into the lineup with them. Usually, those animals are dogs, but we’ve seen pigs and goats and all manner of creatures. It’s tough know, however, how they actually feel about it. But Higor Fiuza, a surfer on Australia’s Gold Coast, is certain that Shiva, his pet python, is a fan. “She goes for a swim a little bit and then comes back to the board,” Fiuza said in an interview with 9 News. “She’s just cruising waiting for the wave, for the perfect wave.”
In the video, Shiva and Fiuza paddled out at Rainbow Bay, where, according to reports, they’re a common sight, especially in the summer. Shiva is a Bredli python, and she isn’t venomous. Bredli pythons do make pretty good pets… as long as you’re a fan of snakes. Which, of course, many people are not. And many of those people happen to like surfing, too. “Like, what the f*ck?” one bystander exclaimed. “Why do you take a snake?”
Getting their faces on the news hasn’t exactly been a good thing for Fiuza and Shiva. Since the 9 News report came out, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has launched an investigation over concerns for the snake’s welfare.
“Wildlife officers are making inquiries into the matter to determine if any legislative provisions under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or permit conditions under the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 have been breached,” a spokesperson for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service told 7 News.
According to one reptile expert, surfing likely isn’t all that great for snakes.
“Snakes are ectotherms, so obviously that can cause the snake a lot of stress, being out in that cold, salty water,” Tim Hudson, from Hudson Snake Catching Gold Coast and Hinterland, told reporters.“Snakes are very fragile in their environment and how they interact with their environment, having them out in the cold, salty surf would definitely cause that animal a considerable amount of stress.”
