Wisconsin driver finds four-foot python in his car engine

Steve Keller, right, was called to wrangle a snake after it was discovered in an engine in Omro, Washington. (Omro Police Department)

A Wisconsin driver could be forgiven for jumping out of his skin when he popped the hood of his SUV only to discover a four-foot python slithering near the engine.

Chris Nguyen, from Omro, discovered the unwelcome passenger on Wednesday, when he borrowed his mother’s vehicle only to begin experiencing engine trouble on Highway 21.

Officer Peeters from Omro and Lieutenant Sauriol from Winneconne responded to a call and attempted to get hold of the snake only to admit defeat (Omro Police Department)

“He called me, to say, ‘Mom your truck is broke down,'” Liz Nguyen told WBAY. “Oh my God. So I ran over there and said ‘What’s going on?’ And he said when he opened the hood he sees the big snake.”

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The snake, later identified as a ball python, a species native to Africa, had rather aptly damaged the serpentine belt and worked its way between the engine and the skid plate.

The snake, later identified as a ball python, a species native to Africa, had rather aptly damaged the serpentine belt (Omro Police Department)

Officer Peeters from Omro and Lieutenant Sauriol from Winneconne responded to a call and attempted to get hold of the snake, before resorting to calling in ‘The Snake Man’ Steve Keller, from Menasha, for help.

Keller, who rescues and adopts snakes, told WBAY: “This is not an unusual place to find a snake, but it’s the first time I’ve ever been called in.”

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He was able to wrangle the snake out of the car with both of them remaining unscathed.

Owning exotic pets is illegal in Omro. The owner came forward but will not be able to take home the snake, Chachi, according to the Oshkosh Northwestern. Keller, who says he has more than 30 snakes in his home now, plans to adopt it.

The owner was fined but police said they would dismiss the fine if he paid for the damage to the vehicle.

A statement on Omro police’s Facebook page said: “You just never know what will happen on patrol in Omro.”

It added: “The reluctant reptile is alive and well, just tired and scared.”