In Brooks Township, a Michigan resident found an unexpected visitor in a barn: a python — a snake that is not native to the state.
After the report came in, local deputies responded and later kept the reptile overnight at the Newaygo County Administration Building, according to Wood TV (via Yahoo News).
Here's what to know
Authorities were called after a homeowner spotted the snake in a barn on Thornapple Avenue near East 96th Street.
Deputies went to the property, determined the animal was a python, and removed it safely.
The sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that deputies were arranging to place the snake with an exotic animal rescue.
In the meantime, it spent the night at the Newaygo County Administration Building.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
Officials did not say what kind of python it was or explain how it ended up there.
They also noted that pythons are not part of Michigan's 18 native snake species.
Encounters between humans and wildlife have been steadily increasing, according to the BBC, which cited several factors driving the problem.
Widespread land development, changing weather patterns, shifts in seasons, and habitat loss are all contributing to a higher rate of human-animal encounters.
Wood reported that pythons can vary dramatically in size, with smaller ones measuring roughly 2 to 5 feet and some giant species growing beyond 30 feet and topping 200 pounds.
What's being done?
Following its overnight stay at the Newaygo County Administration Building, the snake was expected to be turned over to an exotic animal rescue.
Where can I learn more?
These stories about python encounters in Florida and a stray boa rescue illustrate how wildlife encounters are becoming more common — and more dangerous.
• In Florida, a contractor grabbed a 10-foot Burmese python forced from the brush by wildfire.
• In Pennsylvania, officers found a boa constrictor slithering through neighborhood streets.
• In the Everglades, an alligator killed an invasive python before whipping it around.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
