Missing 17-foot Alaska python slithers home

May 10 (UPI) -- A massive 17-foot python that was missing in an Alaska neighborhood for two weeks found its way home.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough shared a photo of Sam, the 100-pound Burmese python and animal care officer Darla Erskine after the wayward snake suddenly reappeared in his owner's living room at 4 p.m. on Monday.

Erskine had been searching the neighborhood for the snake since it was reported missing on April 24, but Sam's owner David Hyde said the pet had its own plan.

He told Alaska Dispatch News he was working outside on his property, when Sam slithered through his open front door to make his return.

"I decided he was gone forever, and I thought it'd be OK to leave my door open so I could come and go as I was working on chores," Hyde said. "And there he was."

Hyde said it appeared Sam had not eaten during the two weeks the snake was missing and he had no idea where his pet had been.

There was no evidence of where Sam went on his journey, except for molted snake skin in a neighbor's disassembled RV.

Now that Sam is home again, Hyde said he will keep the snake safely locked in his room and assured his neighbors they have nothing to fear.

"He's not vicious or evil. He's just shy and hungry," he said.