Archive · 10 Aug 2026
X-Ray Reveals Last Meal Of Python Found In New Jersey
A family in New Jersey found a big surprise in their backyard.
A giant snake, called a Burmese python, was hiding under their shed.
Burmese pythons usually live in faraway places like Southeast Asia.
They do not normally live in New Jersey.
The homeowner noticed the big snake while watering her flowers.
She called animal control, and workers carefully removed some shed boards to rescue it.
The snake had a big lump in its belly.
An X-ray showed that it had eaten a whole opossum for dinner!
Even after such a big meal, the snake was healthy.
Now a reptile expert is taking care of it.
A New Jersey family found an eight-foot Burmese python hiding underneath the wooden floor of their backyard shed.
Homeowner Leslie Daley called animal control after spotting the oversized snake while watering flowers.
Monmouth County SPCA officers, aided by a contractor who removed shed floorboards, safely extracted the 40-pound reptile.
An X-ray revealed the python's belly bulge came from swallowing a large opossum whole; vets said the snake was hydrated and in good physical health.
Officials believe the non-venomous constrictor, native to South and Southeast Asia, was an abandoned or escaped pet, and it has been transferred to a certified reptile specialist.
- Who
- Homeowner Leslie Daley and her family, Monmouth County SPCA officers, a local contractor, and veterinarians at the Monmouth County SPCA facility.
- What
- An eight-foot, 40-pound Burmese python was found under a backyard shed, and an X-ray showed it had recently swallowed a large opossum whole.
- When
- The article does not specify the exact date of the discovery.
- Where
- Under a wooden shed in the backyard of a family home in New Jersey, with Monmouth County SPCA responding.
- Why
- The python's swollen belly prompted an X-ray, which revealed its last meal; officials believe the non-native snake was an abandoned or escaped exotic pet that grew too large for its owner.
- Species
- Burmese python
- Length
- 8 feet
- Weight
- 40 pounds
- Discovery location
- Under a backyard shed in New Jersey
- Homeowner
- Leslie Daley
- Responding agency
- Monmouth County SPCA
- X-ray finding
- Had swallowed a large opossum whole
- Current status
- Transferred to a certified reptile specialist for long-term care