A California worker cleaning out a returned U-Haul truck stumbled upon a ball python that had apparently been left behind in one of the vehicles.
The discovery quickly sparked concern among people online, many of whom pointed out that the snake was not only someone's pet but potentially a fairly expensive one as well.
Here's what to know
The story was posted to Reddit's r/WhatsThisSnake community, where the original poster wrote, "My boyfriend cleans U-Hauls at work, and this fellow was left behind; no owner has returned, so we're trying to find him a new home. He's so cute; I'm curious what he is!"
The OP then included an image of the reptile that the snake forum quickly identified as a ball python.
Replies immediately identified the snake as a pet and suggested it might be worth a notable amount. One commenter wrote, "This is someone's pet ball python (Python regius), of course [it's] harmless. Please hold onto him and try and get him home!"
Another added that it "looks like a Banana or Coral Glow Pied. Round $400 snake."
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Many commenters pointed to the truck's rental history as the most direct way to track down whoever lost it. As the top comment put it, "I feel like they can check and see who returned that particular U-haul tho and call 'em."
Other users echoed that idea and noted that the snake likely has a worried owner.
One wrote, "Maybe send [a] message out to recent renters at the U-Haul? Looks pretty healthy, so nice people could be missing it."
Another said, "Oh boy, somebody's heart was broken when [this snake] got lost in transit." Others told OP to try posting on Craigslist and PawBoost to see if anyone is missing a ball python.
Where can I learn more?
Lost pet pythons have a way of turning up in unexpected places.
• In Florida, deputies searched for an owner after a ball python curled around a car engine.
• In Ontario, a missing python turned up 25 feet underground in a sewer after days away from home.
• In Queensland, a snake catcher found a huge python resting atop an air conditioner.
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