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"Slithery" Surprise At Construction Site

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A slithery surprise for some South Florida construction workers.

They found a rather large snake from underground at the site at State Road 826 and NW 72nd Avenue on Tuesday.

The snake, a Burmese python, measured more than ten feet in length.

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The Burmese python is not native to Florida so now authorities are looking into the possibility that it could be someone's pet.

The snake had been there for the better part of the day but Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) officials took it away in the afternoon.

Authorities said it likely ended up at the site since PVC pipes were moved there.

A construction worker found the creature. Another worker talked about the commotion it caused.

"So he went and he caught it, and we brought it out and everyone was looking at it," said construction worker Jimmy Ramirez.

Although a Burmese python does squeeze its prey, wildlife experts said it's unlikely to attack humans. Burmese pythons are not poisonous. Wildlife experts said a dog bite would be worse.

"If the animal is left alone, it's not likely to hurt somebody. Now once you try to engage with them, they're going to defend themselves," said Captain Jeffrey Fobb of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

FWC officials said they're going to scan the snake to make sure that she's nobody's pet. If the snake doesn't belong to anyone, they said the snake will likely be euthanized but may be kept alive for educational purposes.

FWC officials want to remind everyone that it is illegal to own Burmese pythons in Florida.

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