The findings in the study highlight the ecological threat posed by Burmese pythons in Florida, where the invasive snakes have become established throughout much of South Florida after being introduced through the exotic pet trade.

Its presence on the roadside points to two likely possibilities: It either escaped or was abandoned.

Most people are aware of snakes only because of their characteristic slithering motion from side to side. Not all snakes slither, though. Some are capable of rectilinear locomotion, which implies that the body is moving forward in a nearly straight line with practically no visible curving.