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A New Jersey couple discovered an 8-foot, 40-pound Burmese python hiding under their shed in Freehold, according to ABC 7. The Monmouth County SPCA recovered the reptile after it became stuck due to a recent meal, which X-rays later confirmed was an opossum.
Rescue Operation in Freehold Requires Shed Demolition
Leslie Daley first spotted the large snake moving through her backyard while watering flowers, her husband Ed Daley told ABC 7. The couple observed the python entering a hole in the corner of their shed, prompting a call to the Monmouth County SPCA.
Scott Crawford, an Animal Control Manager with the Monmouth County SPCA, stated that the team’s “jaws kind of dropped” upon seeing the video of the animal because Burmese pythons do not belong in the New Jersey wild. Rescuers initially attempted to pull the snake out through the original opening, but the python’s abdomen was too enlarged from a recent meal to fit through the gap.
To prevent injury to the animal, the Daleys hired a contractor friend to remove the shed’s floorboards. This provided rescuers access from above, though Crawford noted they still had to dig around the snake to free it because they could not immediately locate its head.
Did you know? While Burmese pythons are not illegal to own in New Jersey, state law requires owners to obtain a permit to keep them.
X-Rays Confirm Opossum Prey
Once the reptile was secured, the Monmouth County SPCA medical staff conducted X-rays to ensure the meal had not caused internal complications. The images revealed the python had recently eaten an opossum. Crawford told ABC 7 that while a snake of this size could have potentially eaten a pet, in this instance, it had targeted local wildlife.
Permit Regulations and Exotic Pet Abandonment
Officials from the Monmouth County SPCA suspect the python was either released by an owner lacking a permit or by someone who found the animal too large to manage.
The snake is slated for transfer to a zoo or a private owner who possesses the necessary expertise and legal permits for its care.
Pro Tip: If you encounter an exotic animal in your yard, do not attempt to capture it. Contact your local animal control or SPCA immediately to ensure the animal is handled safely and legally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to own a Burmese python in New Jersey?
Yes, but according to the Monmouth County SPCA, a permit is required for ownership.
How did the snake get under the shed?
The Daleys reported seeing the snake crawl through a hole in the corner of the shed structure.
What happened to the python after the rescue?
The Monmouth County SPCA stated the animal will be placed in a zoo or with a qualified private owner.
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