A ball python turned up in one of the last places most people would expect to see one in Manchester, New Hampshire: near a McDonald's drive-thru on South Willow Street. The snake was found cold and injured, with no owner coming forward.
Here's what to know
According to WMUR, Manchester police said the snake was in poor condition when they found it on South Willow Street, with injuries to its eyes, tail, and scales.
Police described the reptile as extremely cold when they found it.
Nobody has identified themselves as the owner, and investigators want to learn where the snake came from.
A ball python found beside a drive-thru in New Hampshire suggests a human connection, given the location in a busy commercial area.
A McDonald's drive-thru is a fast-moving paved area built for cars, not wildlife, and the injured reptile faced dangers beyond the cold, including being overlooked or further harmed before help arrived.
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Human-built spaces often shape encounters with animals, raising broader questions about why wild animals attack humans.
The condition police described included severe cold exposure and damage to the snake's eyes, tail, and scales.
In this case, Manchester Animal Control and Manchester police stepped in.
What's being done?
The Manchester Police Department asked the public to help trace the python's origin.
Because no owner has been identified, authorities are working to figure out how the snake got to South Willow Street.
Because the ball python was injured when it was found, officials are dealing with two issues at once: caring for the animal and figuring out where it came from.
Police said anyone who recognizes the animal or knows how it ended up at the McDonald's drive-thru should contact Animal Control.
Despite its condition when it was discovered near the drive-thru, Manchester Animal Control said the ball python was "very sweet."
Where can I learn more?
Other ball python rescues show how often these pet snakes turn up in unexpected places. These articles cover pythons spotted under beach benches, along roadsides, in hospital rooms, and even inside a car grille.
• On a Georgia beach, a ball python was found under a bench after dark.
• In Cumbria, a passer-by spotted a royal python stranded beside a rural road at night.
• In Indiana, hospital staff scrambled after a pet ball python got loose in the ER.
• In New Jersey, police freed a wedged ball python from a car grille after repairs.
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