American Elvis tribute artists Cote Deonath and Taylor Rodriguez were more twinkle-toed than usual on Friday morning, watching out for the reptile during a photo call at the Parkes Elvis Festival in rural NSW.
Frank - apparently even-tempered despite his dangerous reputation - is the resident snake at the CSIRO Observatory, set amongst farmland 20km out of town.
CSIRO staffers warned the artists and media about Frank's occupancy of a grassy culvert on a tree-lined road.
Elvis tribute artist Taylor Rodriguez said he was more afraid of spiders than snakes. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)
The group was reassured the snake usually enjoys a sleep-in, preferring to come out when frogs are active in the evenings.
Frank was always on the artists' minds as they posed for photos in front of the 64-metre wide radio telescope, Murriyang.
"Taylor, that's the most dangerous snake in the world," Deonath told his offsider with a laugh.
Rodriguez replied: "I'm more scared of spiders."
The pair was unscathed by the uniquely Australian experience and will go on to play a series of hotly anticipated headline shows.
Charlie Gaylard, a 15-year-old tribute artist from Colac, Victoria, posed alongside the American duo in a shimmering blue velveteen shirt.
Charlie Gaylard connected with the king through 18 viewings of Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)
With a remarkable resemblance to baby-faced 1950s-era Elvis, Gaylard connected with the king through 18 viewings of Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic.
"That maybe put a spark in me to want to continue his legacy," Gaylard told AAP.
"It's a strange passion to have, I'll admit, impersonating someone, but it's something I get a lot of enjoyment out of."
Gaylard hopes to one day compete in the Ultimate Elvis tribute artist contest in Memphis.
"That is a big dream of mine," he said.
"There could be something else that comes along that I find a little more suitable for a career path, but at the moment it's this that I'm really focusing on."
The main street of Parkes is jam-packed with Elvis and Priscilla lookalikes, classic cars, swing dancers and buskers as the festival ramps up for the weekend.
Farmer James Webb wandered through town wearing a red jumpsuit adorned with plastic gold jewels. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)
The festival, which is celebrating its 31st year with a Jailhouse Rock theme, triples the population of the town at the height of summer.
James Webb, a 79-year-old farmer, wandered through town wearing a red jumpsuit adorned with plastic gold jewels.
Mr Webb said Elvis's music is alive and well in his home of Dunedoo, a village near Dubbo.
"It doesn't make any difference whether it's Dunedoo, Sydney or Tasmania, wherever you go it's Elvis," Mr Webb said.
"I've been an Elvis fan all my life."
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