Python Found In Mansfield Apartment: Animal Control

MANSFIELD, MA — Coyotes, fisher cats and dogs left outside in the cold — these are the typical calls animal control officer Jeff Collins gets at this time of year. But he started his work week Monday dealing with something he seldom sees: a python.

During the morning, residents at a Copeland Crossing apartment had opened a door to find a python in the corner of the room.

"The first thing they saw was the snake lift its head up," Collins said.

When police arrived, they called Collins, who confirmed that the snake was a ball python about 2 feet long and roughly 10 years old. He said the snake was in good condition and relatively well-tempered. The snake did not try to bite him when he picked it up.

Collin and Mansfield police kept the python for most of the day. Police officers nicknamed it "Cuddles," and said they had " show-and-tell at roll call."

Later in the afternoon, the owner -- who lives next door to the apartment where the snake was found -- came to claim the python. A latch on the snake's cage had come undone, and the snake decided to slither out and pay the neighbors a visit.