A huge Burmese python was been found dead by terrified dog walkers under a fallen tree in a suburban street in Kent.
The 10ft long snake was found by a member of the public, and had been dead for at least 24 hours before being discovered, the RSPCA said.
Investigators are now working to track down its owner and establish how it had found its way to the street in Northfleet, where it was found yesterday morning.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "It's a bit of a strange one. Our first assumption was that it became trapped under the tree after being released.
"But it then became apparent that it had been dead for some time, at least 24 hours before it was found. The injury to its skull was caused by blunt trauma.
"What we don't know for sure is whether that injury occurred because of the fallen tree or happened before and the snake was then placed underneath the branch."
Burmese pythons are among the five largest species of snake in the world. Males grow to an average size of up to 13ft and females can grow slightly larger.
They are normally found in the marshlands, swamps, grasslands and woodland of southern and south-east Asia, and can prove deadly.
The RSPCA spokeswoman added: "A snake of this size could easily crush a child.
"A fully-grown one would have the capability of seriously injuring or even killing a fully grown adult.
"It's their crush instinct that's particularly dangerous."
The RSPCA has possession of the dead snake and officials appealed to anyone with information about its owner to call 0300 123 8018.
