An 8-foot long Burmese python was found living under a backyard shed belonging to a family in Freehold.

After several hours of work by animal control officers with the Monmouth County SPCA, the 40-pound snake was extricated and taken to the rescue facility for a full examination.

The floor of that shed had to be taken apart before animal control could grab the snake, which officials believe was released recently by its unknown owner after it likely had grown too big.

X-rays taken at the SPCA showed the python had a possum in its stomach.

The medical director at the Monmouth County SPCA says the python is a juvenile and believes was released by someone last week.

“It was really, generally speaking in a good body condition, not dehydrated, color was appropriate it wasn’t too cold to the touch," said medical director Dr. Samantha Mammen.

Dr. Mammen says the Burmese python is native to southeast Asia.

It is not venomous and needs a climate that includes temperatures in the 80's.

“It likely would’ve fared well throughout the summer months but once the fall and winter came it wouldn’t have survived," said Dr. Mammen.

Animal Control Officer Scott Crawford was the one who pulled the snake from under the shed at the home along West Main Street in Freehold.

He believes the unknown owner of the snake released the animal after it had grown too large to care for.

“There is a population that owns these things in the area, and whether it’s because they don’t have the proper permit or they feel it’s gotten too big for them to take care of like in this situation, we suspect they dumped him out," said Crawford.

The snake is now being cared for at a private sanctuary.

In New Jersey, exotic pets are allowed as long as you have a permit with the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Such exotic pets cannot be sold in New Jersey. Sales are legal in some other states including Pennsylvania.