Burmese python incidents in North America

In late July 2026, environmental police in Saltillo, Mexico responded to a citizen tip about an albino Burmese python spotted on city streets. Officers located the snake, followed handling protocols and handed it over to the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA). The incident prompted officials to urge the public to report similar sightings and to avoid harming the animal.

Two weeks later, an 8‑foot Burmese python was discovered hidden beneath a shed in a New Jersey backyard. Animal‑control officers dismantled the structure, safely removed the reptile and transferred it to the Monmouth County SPCA, which placed the snake with a licensed expert. New details released on 6 August 2026 show the snake had swallowed a possum, visible in an X‑ray of its bulging belly, before rescue. The SPCA used the case to warn against releasing exotic pets into the wild and to encourage owners to seek proper care.

These separate events illustrate a pattern of unexpected Burmese python encounters across North America, prompting local authorities to intervene, relocate the animals, and issue public advisories on handling exotic wildlife.