A python intending to go on a joyride latched onto a sailboat in Florida Keys and stayed there until the boat reached its destination in the mainland.

The 7-foot-long snake was found in the boat's shower after it docked at Marco Island on southwest Florida's Gulf Coast. The python traveled a good 95 miles (155 kilometers) from the Indian Key to the southern tip of the peninsula, Click Orlando reported.

Cops responded and handed over the snake to a wildlife handler, the outlet reported, citing a news release.

The Marco Island Police Department shared snaps of the rescue on Facebook which showed the snake clinging from an officer's arm as he flashed a triumphant smile. "Officers responded to a call for a snake on a boat at Rose Marina today, Officer Prigge was able to capture the python and release it to local wildlife handler Bobby Monroe!!" the post read.

Parts of South Florida and the Everglades are swarmed by pythons. The snakes have been identified as non-native Burmese pythons that have established a breeding population and are believed to be one of the scariest and invasive species to overrun the area.

The massive snakes, that can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) and 200 pounds (90 kilograms), prey on mammals, birds, and other reptiles, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The agency warns civilians to avoid going near to them or interacting with them in any manner in case of a sighting for safety reasons.

"Because pythons regularly escape or are released from captivity, it can be difficult to determine whether a snake encountered in the Keys arrived there by swimming from the mainland or was a former captive pet on the island," the agency said. "Given the python’s apparent ability to disperse via salt water, however, island residents and resource managers need to stay vigilant."

In a similar incident in May, a python over 8 feet long was captured on a boat in Coral Gables, the Miami Herald had reported at that time.

The reticulated python is the world's longest snake and is indigenous to southeast Asia
The reticulated python is the world's longest snake and is indigenous to southeast Asia AFP / Fayez Nureldine
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