Parkgoers at a popular hiking destination have been told to \u201clook before you squat\u201d after a carpet python was spotted inside a public toilet.<\/p>\n
The unexpected encounter, captured by the South Australian Ranger Association (SARA), took place at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in the state\u2019s outback.<\/p>\n
SARA posted the video online on January 1, saying the park\u2019s toilets were temporarily closed as a result.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n In the footage, the carpet python can be seen with its head and eyes above the water after a ranger lifts the toilet lid.<\/p>\n SARA said the lid was left open and the toilet block closed off while rangers waited for the python to come out.<\/p>\n The video was later shared by National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia on Tuesday as a reminder to visitors.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways look before you squat!\u201d the organisation wrote on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cThis carpet python was spotted chilling out in the park toilets.<\/p>\n \u201cBig thanks to Ranger James for safely relocating it and getting the facilities back up and running again!\u201d<\/p>\n Multiple online users said the incident was their \u201cworst nightmare\u201d, while others joked that they would never go camping again.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my ultimate nightmare,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cNew fear unlocked,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n \u201cA reminder that in national parks, you\u2019re never really alone\u2026 even in the bathroom!\u201d a third added.<\/p>\n National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia urged visitors to keep a safe distance from wildlife.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recommend always maintaining a respectful distance when observing animals in their natural habitat (or not!),\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen visiting parks, always report any facility or wildlife concerns to the local ranger.\u201d<\/p>\n