Reticulated python curled up in netizen’s chicken coop after breaking through fence

A reticulated python was caught on camera after it broke through a small opening in the fence of a netizen.

In a post to Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings, a netizen who went by the name of Aaron Tyw shared that the python had broken through a small opening in the fence and had found its way to his chicken coop.

In the video, the python could be seen lying on the coop, curled up with its body full. As the camera panned in the 21-second clip, the python could be seen snoozing, followed by the carcass of a chicken on the ground below.

Reticulated pythons are among the most commonly sighted snakes in Singapore. They are found in almost all habitats from forests to mangroves and also in urban areas.

According to wildsingapore.com, these snakes grow to about 10m long, but those we might see are usually much shorter and rarely exceed 5m. Among the longest snakes in the world, this powerfully muscled snake is non-venomous and kills by constricting its victims in its coils. Large adult ones can be dangerous to humans. Even though it is non-venomous, it can give a nasty lacerating bite with its powerful jaws filled with sharp long fangs. Don’t disturb a python. It has a pretty net-like pattern (‘reticulatus’ means ‘net-like’) and scales that are iridescent in the sunlight.

The reticulated python hunts small warm-blooded animals and is said to eat nearly anything it can catch, from mice, and rats to deer and pigs. A good climber, even tree dwellers are not safe from it. It is also an excellent swimmer. It is considered a pest on poultry farms. And it is mainly nocturnal.

Others who commented on the post urged Mr Aaron to contact the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

In the comments, Mr Aaron updated that the python had indeed been caught and sent to ACRES. When weighed, it came up to about 8kg, and under 3m long, he said.

Watch the video of the python here.