We live just east of Jackson, Miss.

A family about 6 houses upstream from us on a lazy creek took a photo of what was later identified by PetSmart's staff as a python. It was crawling over their fence. At its largest, it was about as big around as a softball, they said.

Anybody in more southerly climates dealt with these. The assumption is that they were pets that outgrew their welcome and were set loose.

My son, who's out for the summer, will contact the state Natural History Museum Monday for more info. They've got a first-rate reptologist there. 

But in the meantime, I thought I would tap into the collective wisdom of NAT. Wondering if anyone has actually caught one before, trapping techniques, etc. This is a fairly built-up area, so shooting is not wise.

Thanks.