Hal Fayant of Helena was driving with Sweet Pea, a 5-foot python, to show her off to a friend when the snake, apparently feeling chilly, slithered up a heating vent Thursday, the Helena Independent Record reported. Fayant drove to Helena Motors.

"I have a python stuck in my dash," he told Steve Heinitz, the service adviser.

Heinitz said mechanics were not lining up to volunteer for the job, but most were willing to watch and to use their cell phones to record video of the hourlong job of disassembling the dashboard and retrieving Sweet Pea. Fayant said he was lucky to find a mechanic willing to join the hunt.

Sweet Pea is only 2 years old, and small for a Burmese python, Fayant said. One of the largest snakes, Burmese pythons can grow to be longer than 20 feet and can be dangerous pets for careless owners.