Python Camouflages Itself in Flea Market Clothes

An 8-foot Burmese python created quite a scene at a south Florida flea market Sunday when it decided to attempt its best chameleon impersonation by curling up in a pile of clothing for sale.

A customer at the 272 Krome Ave. open-air flea market booth, however, quickly realized the store didn’t have a snakeskin belt quite that large. Alarmed, she told the shop’s owner and employees about the new “merchandise.”

Rather than wrestle with the beast themselves, shop workers called in some help from Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the critter nestled in a stack of clothing for sale.

Officials say the python likely slithered into the spot Saturday night after eating a big meal.

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“It was looking for a cozy place to digest its meal,” Lt. Scott Mullen told the Bradenton Herald. That agency gets so many snake calls it has its own “Venom One Unit.” Mullen said snake calls are quite common this time of year courtesy of fall harvests and rainy weather.

More proof of that came last week when a man came across a 10-foot python sunning on a beach in South Florida. Wild, invasive pythons have become such a problem in the southern part of the state, a semi-regular Python Challenge is staged to cull the population.

The state’s 2013 Python Challenge drew an estimated 1,600 hunters. Only 68 snakes were bagged. Even so, participants were eligible for cash prizes with $1,500 going to those responsible for the largest harvests. Prizes were also awarded to hunters who bagged the biggest python with the $1,000 reward going to Paul Shannon for a 14-foot, 3-inch Burmese.

A 2016 Python Challenge has been announced for Jan. 16-Feb. 14. To keep up with developments on the challenge or to find out about participating, visit the state’s website.

As for the snake that attempted to hide as a belt, it’s been turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, officials say.

Photos courtesy of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue