WORCESTER, Mass. — Department of Public Works and Parks employees made a wild discovery in a Massachusetts town Friday.
The workers found a 5-foot python in Worcester’s water drainage system.
The exotic snake was discovered when the crew lifted a manhole cover during routine maintenance.
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The snake is not native to the U.S. and was likely someone's pet. Officials suspect it escaped and found its way into the storm drain.
"This wasn't a very subtle looking snake. This was, like, bright-colored yellow and red stripes, so it looked rather ominous and it was a sizeable one at that," said Phil Guerin, the director of sewer and water operations.
Animal control quickly seized the snake and placed it in a facility.
"This is a tropical python. Somebody probably had it as a pet (and) it either escaped, or it was (once) a cute little pet (but) not so much when it’s six feet and it just ate your dog, I suppose," Guerin said.
DPW staff members joked that it’s clear the city's water systems are good and clean if they can support such wildlife.