Freehold, New Jersey — A New Jersey family’s quiet afternoon took an unexpected turn when they discovered a massive Burmese python hiding underneath their backyard shed. The roughly 8-foot snake had a noticeably swollen belly, and an examination later revealed exactly what the exotic reptile had eaten before animal control officers rescued it.
Family Discovers Giant Snake in Backyard
Leslie Daley was watering flowers at her Freehold home when she noticed something unusual moving through the backyard. The family soon realized that the creature was a large snake making its way toward their shed.
The reptile had apparently crawled through an opening and found its way underneath the floorboards, where it remained hidden. The discovery was particularly alarming because Burmese pythons are not native to New Jersey or the northeastern United States.
After realizing how large the snake was, the family contacted officials with the Monmouth County SPCA for help.
Animal Control Had to Remove Shed Floorboards
Getting the snake out of its hiding place required more than simply reaching underneath the shed. Animal control officers worked with a local contractor to remove sections of the shed’s floorboards, giving them access to the python.
Video from the rescue showed the enormous reptile being carefully removed from beneath the structure. The python had a large bulge in the middle of its body, immediately suggesting that it had recently consumed a substantial meal.
Officials carefully handled the animal to prevent injuries to both the snake and the people involved in the rescue. Once freed, the python was taken into the care of the Monmouth County SPCA.
X-Ray Reveals Python’s Last Meal
The snake’s swollen belly soon became the focus of a veterinary examination.
An X-ray revealed that the Burmese python had recently eaten a large opossum.
The discovery explained the prominent bulge in the snake’s body and showed just how effectively the large predator had been feeding while hiding beneath the shed.
Burmese pythons are capable of consuming relatively large prey because of their ability to stretch their jaws and swallow animals whole.
The rescued snake was subsequently placed in a secure enclosure with an experienced snake handler while officials began looking for a suitable long-term home.
Burmese Python Is Far From Its Native Range
Burmese pythons naturally come from Southeast Asia, rather than the northeastern United States.
The species has become especially notorious in parts of the U.S. where it has established invasive populations, but a python appearing in a New Jersey backyard is still an unusual discovery.
New Jersey does allow residents to keep certain exotic animals, including pythons, with the appropriate permit.
That has led officials to consider the possibility that the rescued snake may have previously been someone’s pet. Authorities have not publicly identified an owner connected to the python.
SPCA Warns Against Releasing Exotic Pets
The Monmouth County SPCA is now focused on making sure the snake does not end up back in the wild. The organization strongly reminded residents that exotic pets should never be released outdoors.
A Burmese python released into an unfamiliar environment can pose risks to native wildlife and domestic animals, while the exotic animal itself may struggle to survive.
Officials encouraged anyone who can no longer care for a reptile to contact a local rescue or shelter rather than abandoning it.
For the Freehold family, what began as an ordinary afternoon of gardening ended with an extraordinary backyard discovery — and a reminder that exotic pets can become difficult and potentially dangerous to manage as they grow.
The rescued python will remain under professional care while officials work to arrange a safe, permanent placement with someone equipped to properly care for the animal.
What would you do if you discovered an 8-foot python hiding underneath your backyard shed? Would you have immediately called animal control? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
