Gold Coast surfer Higor Fiuza and his morelia bredli python were regular fixtures in the Coolangatta waves and on social media until the Queensland Environment Department slapped the sunseekers with a hefty fine.
Mr Fiuza was issued with a $2,322 penalty on September 14 for taking his pet python into public spaces without a permit.
Senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonald said "the man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf".
Mr Fiuza holds a relevant permit to keep the snake in his home but pets aren't allowed outside unless they're travelling to a vet, being sold or given to a new owner or are taking part in an authorised public display.
"Taking native pets out in public can cause the animals unnecessary stress, and they can behave in an unpredictable way when they are removed from their enclosures," Mr McDonald said.
"Snakes are obviously cold-blooded animals, and while they can swim, reptiles generally avoid water.
"The python would have found the water to be extremely cold and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes," he said.
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Footage of the pair surfing Rainbow Bay at the southern end of Coolangatta has been shared widely on social media.
The 3-year-old python would wrap herself around Mr Fiuza's neck or surfboard as the pair ride the break together.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for Explore and the Senior. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
