Residents in Monmouth County, New Jersey, recently found an eight-foot Burmese python hiding under their shed . The Monmouth County SPCA successfully captured the reptile and moved it to a licensed specialist .
The 8-foot python beneath the Daley family shed
Residents Leslie and Edward Daley first noticed a yellow, slow-moving creature surfacing on their property, which led to the discovery of a massive Burmese python hiding beneath the floorboards of their family shed.. To facilitate the rescue, a local contractor was brought in to remove broken floorboards, providing the necessary clearance for animal control officers to access the animal.
The capture was carried out by Scott Crawford, a volunteer with the Monmouth County SPCA, who was filmed securing the snake's head beore placing it into a transport carrier. According to the report, authorities believe the animal was likely an exotic pet that had either escaped its enclosure or been intentionlly abandoned by a previous owner.
X-rays and the swollen midsection of a non-native predator
Following the capture, the python was transported to an on-site veterinary hospital for a health assessment. Veterinary staff performed X-rays which revealed a swollen midsection, though the report says the animal was otherwise in good body condition and showed no signs of dehydration.
While the snake survived the ordeal, the Monmouth County SPCA described the event as incredibly stressful for the animal. The python has since been transferred to a licensed snake expert who possesses the specific permits and enclosures required to house such a large reptile.
The 23-foot threat and the risk of exotic pet abandonment
Burmese pythons are not native to New Jersey and pose a significant ecological risk if they establish themselves in the wild.. As the report notes, these snakes are among the largest in the world, capable of reaching lengths of 23 feet and weighing up to 200 pounds, making them a threat to local wildlife and domestic pets.
This incident mirrors a broader, dangerous trend of "dumping" exotic pets when they become too large or difficult for owners to manage. New Jersey law requires owners to obtain proper permits to possess pythons, yet the presence of this animal in a residential backyard suggests a disregard for these state and local regulations.
Who abandoned the python in Monmouth County?
Despite the successful rescue, several key details remain unknown. Specifically, the identity of the person who owned and subsequently lost or abandoned the snake has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the animal escaped through a gap in a fence or was placed under the shed intentionally.
Furthermore, the source does not specify if any legal action or fines will be pursued against the original owner for violating New Jersey's permit laws. The Monmouth County SPCA has used the event to urge current reptile owners to contact licensed shelters rather than releasing animals into the environment.
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