Python found slithering in Chili’s parking lot reunited with owner

SHALLOTTE, N.C. ( WECT /Gray News) – A large ball python snake was spotted slithering around a Chili's parking lot in southeastern North Carolina Tuesday.

The Shallotte Police Department posted pictures of the snake on Facebook explaining they were called to respond to reports of a large snake by the family restaurant.

"We believe this may have been someone's pet and got loose," the post read.

A day later, the ball python was reunited with its owner, Christen Schiel.

"That beautiful snake is my baby girl, Una," Schiel said. "She is the best snake anyone could ever have and I've been missing her deeply for the past two months."

Schiel believes Una was likely hiding in her car and slithered her way out when she was at Chili's.

She was thrilled to be reunited with her beloved pet Wednesday at the Brunswick County Animal Shelter in Supply.

"I didn't sleep because I was missing her and I went into depression and was crying hysterically," Schiel said. "What a lot of people don't know or realize is that losing a reptile is the same as losing a dog or a cat for another person."

Schiel says her "baby girl" is happy to be home.

"She has rubs or burns on her which I'm going to treat tonight with some iodine and Polysporin and she was very dehydrated," said Schiel. "I had to give her a little bath with electrolytes in it and she was just chugging water but other than that she's a happy girl."

According to NC. §14-417.1. , pythons are legal pets in North Carolina.