Reptile Hunter Rescues Python from Trash in LA

Last week, a reptile enthusiast found himself in an unusual situation as he attempted to wrangle a 16-foot python discovered near garbage bins in an apartment complex in Los Angeles.

The video shows 24-year-old Joseph Hart, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, slowly approaching the sizeable serpent while perched on the edge of a trash can. Hart explained that he was at a coffee shop when he first got the call about the snake. Upon arrival, he quickly evaluated the python’s demeanor, noting it seemed quite distressed.

“They’re not really good climbers at this size,” Hart remarked, referring to the snake’s struggles. “So, the fact that she was trying to escape told me a lot.”

Removing the hefty 65-pound female python was no small feat. Hart described her as “pure muscles,” but with the help of onlookers, he was able to reposition the trash can away from the wall, making it easier to extract the snake.

He later named her “Apple,” and after the rescue, Hart mentioned that he held the creature’s neck and head firmly, trying to reassure it. “I was apologizing to her, hoping the people watching understood she wasn’t a threat,” he shared.

Interestingly, Hart noted that the python had an oral infection, indicating that it had likely been struggling before being abandoned.

“She’s a very tame animal,” he observed, adding that it saddened him to think someone had made the poor choice to leave her behind, likely due to overwhelming medical issues.

Hart, who also identifies as a wildlife rehabilitator, recalled his deep-rooted enthusiasm for reptiles, which sparked in childhood through an interest in dinosaurs and nature documentaries. “I feel like I’m doing the best job in the world,” he expressed, clearly enjoying his unique vocation.