Ball Python Found in Glendale Park Trash Can

A maintenance worker discovered the 4-foot snake curled up inside a trash can at Brand Park and contacted animal rescuers.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Reptiles

Ball Python Found in Glendale Park Trash Can

A maintenance worker emptying trash cans at Brand Park in Glendale, California, found a 4-foot ball python curled up inside one. Animal control officers responded and transported the snake to Pasadena Humane.

Why it matters

The discovery highlights how exotic pets can end up abandoned in public spaces, leaving them vulnerable and requiring rescue. Local residents are reminded that unwanted reptiles should be surrendered to proper facilities rather than discarded.

The recovered ball python measured 4 feet, a typical adult length for the species. The snake was taken to Pasadena Humane for examination, and how it came to be abandoned has not been determined.

The players

Pasadena Humane

Pasadena Humane is a local animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation for animals in the Pasadena area.

The details

A maintenance worker opened a trash can at Brand Park in Glendale and found the ball python curled up inside. The worker contacted animal rescuers, and animal control officers brought the snake to Pasadena Humane, where it is resting in a temperature-controlled enclosure and receiving occasional soaks in a pool.

Timeline

  1. November 4, 2026: Maintenance worker discovers the ball python in a Brand Park trash can.

Roadmap

Abandoned exotic pets like this ball python are routinely turned over to local humane organizations for examination and rehabilitation. The case follows the standard intake pattern Pasadena Humane uses for animals recovered by animal control.

Residents who no longer want a pet reptile should contact a licensed animal facility rather than leaving the animal in public trash or green spaces. Abandoned snakes can be injured, stressed, or unable to survive outdoors in local conditions.

The takeaway

Exotic pets need proper surrender options, and anyone who can no longer care for a reptile should reach out to a licensed shelter instead of abandoning it in a public place.

Further reading

Explore more reptile care and news for context on exotic pets like this one.

Source note: This article includes information reported by UPI.