15-foot python found inside vehicle engine, safely removed by Garland Animal Control

5 NBC DFW ^ | 6/10/25 | Alicia Barrera

[DallasBiff]

A 15-foot yellow python weighing 85 pounds had to be pulled from a parked car’s engine Saturday night. After more than two hours, the Garland Animal Control Officer safely captured the python.

It was around 11 p.m. Saturday when Alejandro Jaramillo, the Garland Animal Control Officer, got a call.

“They just told me that it was gonna be a snake. I did not know that when I would arrive, it would be a 15-foot python,” Jaramillo said.

[Farmerbob]

“After more than two hours, ...”

I could have gotten it out in about 15 minutes just by running the engine.

[Thank You Rush]

“”As if the author couldn’t have cleaned it up a bit... ah, checked her name, so that would be a no.””

I noticed that too...and kept my smart remarks about Spanish speakers in TX to myself!!!

[4yearlurker]

Yep. This happened to my dad when we lived in Northern Arizona back in 1963 with my dad's Ford pickup. He started it one cold morning and a poor cat got all twisted in the fan and fan belt. It took him some time to untwist the cat which was obviously dead.

[9422WMR]

My dad had a 1970’s Datsun pickup that had an aftermarket stainless fan that was direct drive. Heard a weird noise on starting and when we opened the hood it looked like a war zone. I was 13 and never forgot that.

[fidelis]

Recently, in Arizona:

2 snakes found hiding underneath hood of car in Arizona

[hoosierham]

I routinely check under hood and under vehicle for pet cats ,even check under fenders for cat sitting on top of tires. Animals get into places you wouldn’t think of...like the snake in back of my parts cabinet!!

[Clutch Martin]

“Thanks for the information. I was wondering the same thing myself (who routinely checks their engine compartment before starting the car?)...”

It’s been a while since you’ve owned a junker hasn’t it...

[mabarker1]

I was thinking the same thing.

[musicman]

BTTT!!!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

It’s been a while since you’ve owned a junker hasn’t it...

Well, it has been a while now, but I was well past 40 before I ever paid more than $1500 for a vehicle.

Even in my junker-driving days, though, I might routinely take a look under the car for pools of something, but I generally wouldn't have to pop the hood before starting unless I knew it was going to need a jump, or a quart of oil, or some such.

[ridesthemiles]

BREAK FAN-—REPLACE RADIATOR-— NOT CHEAP

[ridesthemiles]

RATTLERS-—PRETTY BIG ONES

[fidelis]

Gopher snakes. They look pretty similar.