Australian snake over-swallows

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A carpet snake from Australia is recovering from stomach problems after veterinarians removed four golf balls from its digestive system.

The 3-foot-long reptile was deceived by a farming couple in northern New South Wales who had put the golf balls in a chicken coop to encourage a hen to nest, the Australian newspaper reported.

The snake, apparently believing it was on to a free lunch, gobbled the golf balls, which became stuck.

The couple realized what had happened when the golf balls were missing and a lumpy snake was nearby.

The carpet snake was taken to a wildlife sanctuary across in Queensland were it was reported to be recovering after an operation and will soon be released into the wild.