Terrifying moment Sunshine Coast homeowners discover massive python latched onto their pet cat in the backyard

A mother and daughter were horrified to find a huge snake latched onto their cat as it attacked the pet in their backyard.

In the footage, a cat is seen relaxing in the backyard of a property in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast before the mum spots the huge python lurking behind it.

As she yells, the snake grabs the cat's behind, which causes the startled pet to run inside the house while trailing the reptile behind it - leading to horrified screams from a young girl inside.

The footage was posted on the Facebook page of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 by the business's founder Stuart McKenzie, who said it was one of the 'most insane videos' he had ever seen.

Mr McKenzie revealed the mother and daughter managed to detach the snake from their pet and get the no-venomous carpet python back outside before calling him.

'Thankfully they were able to get the snake off the cat, the cat took off for a bit of time out and the snake, we ended up relocating - it curled up behind their barbecue,' Mr McKenzie said. 

'This is one of the most spine-tingling crazy videos you will ever see.'

The business's Facebook page also commended the homeowners.

'Honestly, the mum and daughter were so brave and did a fantastic job,' the caption to the video read.

'It was a great effort to help the cat and not hurt the snake.' 

A short clip shows the python on the back porch with the mother bolting down the side of the house to get away from it.

Mr McKenzie took a later video of the python curled up in a capture bag. 

'Now obviously it is a tough situation if a pet is ever grabbed by a carpet python but they did the right thing, they were able to safely get the snake off the cat, get the coils of the cat and the snake tried to sleep it off,' Mr McKenzie said.

The python was released into bushland. 

'Off you go buddy, no more grabbing pets please,' he told the departing reptile.

The tail-end of summer is when pythons are most active as hunters, as they eat a lot before winter when their metabolism drops.

This active period means they might hunt during the day, even though they are usually nocturnal.

Although pythons usually prey on small animals such as possums, cats, and dogs, they rarely look to humans for food and only attack when they feel threatened.