Ball Pythons are native to Africa, but are easily obtained from pet stores and snake breeders. They can thrive in captivity, but don’t take them on vacation with you!

Ball Pythons are native to Africa, but are easily obtained from pet stores and snake breeders. They can thrive in captivity, but don’t take them on vacation with you!

A member of housekeeping staff at a Massachusetts hotel got a slithery surprise while cleaning a room — a guest left a 5-foot ball python in a dresser drawer.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that staff at the Marriott Residence Inn in Worcester, Massachusetts, discovered the snake and called animal control. Animal control took the snake to a pet supply store.

Rod Dzivasen, general manager of Central Massachusetts Aquatics said the snake looked to have been well cared for and didn’t present a danger.

“They’re usually pretty docile. Why on earth they had him in a hotel room is beyond me.”

Officials don’t think the snake was in the room for long. Police say the person renting the room and believed to be the snake’s owner had checked out the prior day.

It is thought the guest probably abandoned the snake. It’s unlikely anyone will be charged, and it is not known if the snake will be returned. 

Ball python snakes are not poisonous or aggressive, making them a popular reptilian pet.