Freehold Township, New Jersey — A routine afternoon of watering flowers turned into an unforgettable encounter for a New Jersey homeowner after she spotted what appeared to be a massive snake slowly moving across her backyard.
Animal control officers eventually discovered an 8-foot Burmese python hiding beneath a wooden shed, and a veterinary examination revealed the enormous reptile had recently enjoyed a surprisingly large meal.
Homeowner Spots Giant Snake Near Shed
Leslie Daley said she was watering her flowers around 4 p.m. last Friday when something unusual caught her attention. She noticed a yellowish object moving slowly across the front of her shed. At first, she wasn’t sure what she was seeing.
Then she realized there was a very large snake attached to the object — with its tail extending several feet behind it. The reptile eventually made its way underneath the shed, prompting the family to contact animal control.
The snake was later identified as an approximately 8-foot-long Burmese python, a species that can grow considerably larger than many snakes commonly kept as pets.
Officers Had to Take Apart Part of the Shed
Monmouth County SPCA animal control officers responded to the property and quickly realized that reaching the snake would not be straightforward.
The python had slipped beneath the floor of the wooden structure, leaving officers with limited access.
A local contractor was brought in to help remove sections of the shed’s floorboards, allowing the animal control team to reach the reptile without unnecessarily injuring it.
Officials said their trained animal control officer carefully worked to free the snake. The rescue required patience and specialized handling, since the goal was to protect both the animal and the people involved.
Once the python was safely removed, it was transported to the Monmouth County SPCA for examination and temporary care.
X-Rays Reveal What Python Had Eaten
The biggest surprise came after veterinarians examined the snake. X-rays showed that the python had recently eaten a large opossum.
Despite its unusual appearance and the circumstances surrounding its discovery, veterinarians determined the snake appeared to be in good overall physical condition.
Medical Director Dr. Samantha Mammen said the python was not dehydrated and appeared to have appropriate coloration and body condition.
The discovery also provided an indication of how the snake may have been surviving before animal control found it.
Officials Suspect Someone Dumped the Snake
Authorities have not determined exactly where the Burmese python came from.
However, Animal Control Officer Scott Crawford said he suspects the snake may have been released by an owner after becoming too large to manage.
Burmese pythons are sometimes kept as exotic pets, but their size and care requirements can become challenging as they mature.
Crawford said there appears to be a population of people in the area who own exotic reptiles, raising the possibility that the snake was once someone’s pet.
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There is currently no confirmed owner publicly associated with the animal.
Burmese Pythons Can Become Massive
Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes in the world and commonly reach lengths of roughly six to nine feet, although some can grow substantially larger.
The species is native to parts of South and Southeast Asia and is known for eating a wide range of prey, including mammals, birds and reptiles.
Their distinctive tan bodies feature dark markings that can resemble puzzle pieces or giraffe-like patterns. Although the New Jersey snake appeared healthy, experts warned that it likely would not have survived outdoors indefinitely.
As temperatures dropped during the fall and winter, the tropical species would have faced conditions far outside its natural environment.
Python Finds a New Home
After completing the veterinary examination, the SPCA began searching for a safe and legal placement for the reptile.
The organization contacted local reptile specialists and eventually found a suitable home with someone who has the necessary permits and appropriate housing.
Officials emphasized that exotic animals should never be released into the wild. New Jersey permits ownership of certain exotic animals, including some pythons, when owners have the required state permits.
The SPCA reminded residents that releasing exotic pets can put local wildlife, domestic animals and the released animal itself at risk.
Anyone who can no longer care for an exotic reptile is encouraged to contact a qualified rescue organization or shelter rather than abandoning the animal.
What would you do if you discovered an 8-foot python hiding under your backyard shed? Would you have recognized it as a Burmese python or immediately called animal control? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
