“He seemed to understand that we were trying to help him.”
A hike through a quarry in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, took an unexpected turn when a man spotted something unusual tucked beneath a large rock.
At first glance, it was clearly a snake. But the animal’s markings immediately stood out. The hiker recognized the distinctive appearance of a ball python, a species that does not naturally live in Pennsylvania.
That meant the snake was almost certainly someone’s escaped or abandoned pet.
Unable to safely reach the animal, the hiker shared his discovery on Facebook in hopes that someone experienced with reptiles could step in. The snake, later named Dwayne, was wedged too deeply beneath the rock to simply be picked up.
Eventually, the post reached Operation Reptile, whose team headed to the quarry to help.
Finding Dwayne was the first challenge.
Using the original photo as a guide, rescuers compared the surrounding rocks and terrain until they managed to identify the exact location where the python was hiding.
Getting him out proved even more difficult.
Dwayne was positioned far enough beneath the rock that pulling on him could have caused serious injury. Rather than force him out, the rescuers came up with a gentler approach.
They carefully used a stick to lightly encourage Dwayne to move backward on his own. The technique worked, allowing the snake to slowly emerge from his hiding place without being dragged or squeezed.
Once he was within reach, the team safely secured him and removed him from the quarry.
Considering how long Dwayne may have been exposed to the elements, his rescuers were relieved by his condition.
He had several scrapes, and his tail showed signs of damage, but overall he appeared to have escaped far more serious injuries.
His behavior surprised the team even more.
Despite being approached by strangers and handled after what had likely been a stressful experience, Dwayne remained remarkably calm. He did not hiss, strike or show significant signs of aggression during the rescue.
His gentle reaction led the team to joke that perhaps he somehow understood that the people reaching toward him were there to help.
Dwayne is now recovering under the care of Operation Reptile.
Rather than immediately deciding what comes next, his rescuers are giving him plenty of time to relax, adjust to his new surroundings and recover from life outdoors.
For now, the focus is simply on keeping him comfortable, monitoring his health and allowing him to settle at his own pace.
After being discovered trapped beneath a quarry rock, Dwayne is finally somewhere safe — and surrounded by people who understand exactly how to care for him.