Animal control officers with the Monmouth County SPCA removed a Burmese python from a Freehold, New Jersey backyard after it was found under a shed. The snake measured approximately 8 feet long. Its last meal had been a large opossum.
Freehold shed access
The call came after a resident discovered the snake in the yard. A local contractor removed floorboards so responders could reach the animal safely. Trained animal control officers then pulled the python from beneath the structure.
The removal mattered because the snake was large enough to require a controlled entry point. In a backyard, that means the work shifted from a simple animal call to a job that needed tools, access, and people trained to handle an exotic reptile without adding risk to the animal or the property.
Monmouth County SPCA X-rays
Veterinary staff at the Monmouth County SPCA later performed X-rays on the python. The images showed it had recently eaten a large opossum. After evaluation and care, the snake was placed in a secure enclosure.
The SPCA also worked with reptile specialists at F&F to arrange placement with an experienced snake handler who has the proper permits and facilities. If no legal owner comes forward, the python will remain in permanent care with its new caretaker.
Exotic pets in New Jersey
“Exotic pets do not belong in the wild,” the Monmouth County SPCA said on social media. The group said released exotic animals can threaten native wildlife, pose risks to pets, and often struggle to survive on their own.
The unresolved part is ownership. The python was in a suburban backyard, but its path there is still not explained. The practical next step is simple: any legal owner who wants the animal back would need to come forward with the right permits and facilities, or the snake stays with experienced care.
