TAIPING: The Larut Matang Selama District Civil Defence Force (APM) has captured an 80kg python that was hiding in the ceiling of a house in Kampung Dew, Kamunting, an official said, adding that the slippery reptile was seeking a cool resting spot.
District APM officer Faizulhalimi Mohd Yunus said the python, whose video went viral on social media, was among the largest ever captured by the APM in the district.
Faizulhalimi said that the reptile was estimated to be over five metres long and weighed around 80 kilogrammes.
"The operation to capture the reptile was carried out by seven personnel last Friday after receiving a call at 8pm from MERS 999," he said.
"The team had to break through the ceiling in the living room to coax the snake out before capturing it. Although large and lengthy, the snake was not aggressive."
Faizulhalimi said that the snake likely entered the house from a nearby oil palm plantation before hiding in the ceiling.
The snake's presence around the house was detected a day before its capture, but it was not found during earlier searches.
"It is possible the python left its natural habitat in search of a cooler place. The operation was successfully conducted without any injuries," Faizulhalimi said.
"The snake will be handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action," he said.
On Tuesday, a video of the python's capture by APM personnel went viral. The eight-second clip showed the snake falling from the ceiling with a loud thud onto a sofa and slithering towards the wall, seemingly attempting to escape.