Walker finds python in south of France

Local authorities have rescued a missing pet python in the south of France with the help of a walker, more than three months after the animal went missing.

The walker saw the snake near Alès (Gard), and quickly called the local pompiers to help catch it. 

They sent out a local animal rescue team to help catch the snake, which was found suffering from hypothermia. 

Following its capture, firefighters posted about the event on their Facebook page. 

The post was seen by the snake’s owner, who came forward to authorities and said it went missing in July. 

Native to Africa, the royal or ball python is a relatively common pet in Europe, and is the snake breed most often kept as a pet. 

Adult females typically grow up to 1.50m though in some exceptional cases can reach 1.80m. It is not venomous, but instead kills by constriction by first coiling around its prey then tightening the grip until the victim cannot breathe.

This is in contrast to wild snakes native to France, several of which are venomous.