Mysterious ‘ball’ seen beside road was 14-foot invasive snake, New York officials say

An odd mound noticed alongside a street on Lengthy Island proved to be a 14-foot invasive snake, in keeping with the New York Division of Environmental Conservation.

The reticulated python was found Feb. 14 close to Medford, however particulars of the invention weren’t launched till March 1.

“Officers arrived and noticed the reptile curled up in a ball. A better look revealed it to be deceased,” the division reported.

“The (officers) eliminated the snake from the roadway to appropriately eliminate it. … An investigation into the proprietor of the snake is ongoing.”

A photograph shared on social media reveals the snake was practically so long as the officers’ patrol truck.

It’s suspected the snake was an escaped pet. Nonetheless, commenters on social media recommend it might have “hitched a journey on some sort of transport car/boat.”

“It’s unlawful to maintain a majority of these snakes as pets in New York and so they could solely be possessed by holders of a Harmful Animal License,” the state reported.

Pythons are delicate to temperatures beneath 50 levels, which suggests the snake wouldn’t have survived lengthy throughout a New York winter.

Reticulated pythons common 13 to 16 ft within the wild, however some as large as 20 ft and 300 kilos have been discovered.

The species is native to South and Southeast Asia, however has develop into extra widespread as a result of pet commerce.

Florida’s Everglades has develop into a stronghold for the snakes, that are creating environmental havoc by feeding on native wildlife. Pythons might be captured and “humanely killed 12 months spherical” in Florida, and no allow or looking license is required.

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