A New Jersey family got a shocking surprise when an enormous python was discovered hiding beneath their backyard shed. With its belly visibly swollen, rescuers had one big question: what had the snake eaten? An X-ray soon provided the answer.
The Monmouth County SPCA received an unusual call after Animal Control Officers were alerted to a massive snake spotted in a family’s backyard in Freehold, New Jersey.
The reptile was identified as an 8-foot-long Burmese python that had apparently taken shelter underneath the floor of a backyard shed, according to ABC7NY.
Resident Leslie Daley reportedly spotted the snake while she was watering flowers in her yard. Her husband, Ed, explained that the family quickly contacted the Monmouth County SPCA after realizing just how large the reptile was.
Animal control officers arrived at the property along with a local contractor, who helped remove boards from the shed so the snake could be safely reached.
Video from the rescue shows officers carefully working to pull the enormous python from its hiding place. But what caught everyone’s attention was the large bulge in the middle of the snake’s body.
It was clear the python had recently eaten something substantial.
Massive Python Found With Huge Bulge in Its Belly
According to the Monmouth County SPCA, their trained Animal Control Officer carefully unwound the snake to avoid injuring either the animal or the rescuers.
After the python was safely removed, it was transported to the Monmouth County SPCA for evaluation and safekeeping.
The rescue organization later revealed that an X-ray had solved the mystery of the snake’s swollen belly.
The python had swallowed a large opossum.
After the examination, the snake was cleaned up and placed inside a secure tank. The SPCA then contacted reptile specialists at Fins & Feathers in Red Bank, who helped arrange a safe placement for the animal.
Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia and are not native to New Jersey or the northeastern United States. However, according to NBC New York, these large exotic snakes can legally be kept in New Jersey with the appropriate permit.
X-Ray Reveals What the Python Had Eaten
The Monmouth County SPCA said the python would temporarily be cared for by a snake expert who has the proper permits for keeping reptiles.
If a permitted owner does not come forward to claim the snake, officials said it will be placed in a new permanent home.
The rescue organization also used the incident as a reminder that exotic pets should never be released into the wild.
“Exotic pets do NOT belong in the wild!” the SPCA warned, noting that releasing them can threaten local wildlife and domestic animals while also putting the exotic pet itself in danger.
Anyone who can no longer care for an exotic reptile is encouraged to contact a local rescue organization or animal shelter rather than releasing the animal outdoors.