Latest news with #JosephHart
Newsweek
11-08-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Sixteen-Foot Python Discovered in Los Angeles Dumpster—'Pure Muscle'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 16-foot python that was believed to have been abandoned inside a dumpster at a downtown Los Angeles apartment complex last week was retrieved by reptile handler Joseph Hart. Hart, 24, known as the "Reptile Hunter," removed the 65-pound female snake after receiving a phone call about the reptile slithering about in a residential dumpster on the evening of August 5. Newsweek has reached out to Hart for comment. Why It Matters Pythons are some of the largest snakes in the world, can range from 23 to 33 feet in length, and can weigh up to 250 pounds, according to the San Diego Zoo. Pythons live in a wide range of habitats, depending on the species, but many seek shelter in trees and can hold onto branches with their tails. According to the World Animal Foundation, it's generally legal to own certain types of pythons as pets in the Golden State, however there are restrictions and regulations. While some species, like Burmese pythons, are prohibited, others like ball pythons are commonly kept as pets. The python's discovery has sparked animal-welfare concerns and discussions about abandoned exotic pets—and who takes responsibility for their care after rescue. What To Know During an interview appearance over the weekend on Fox News, Hart said it was the first time he had been called to retrieve a snake of that size, adding that he believed it was most likely abandoned. The snake suffered from a mouth infection commonly referred to as "mouth rot," which Hart said may have been a reason she was left in the dumpster. "This was definitely someone's pet animal, which makes a pretty tragic story. Indeed, this animal was dumped," Hart told Fox News. According to Hart, the infection was likely caused by burns, which can occur when snakes are kept too close to their heat bulbs. "So actually, on the top of her head, on her nose is also burned," he said. Hart and his team seek to promote wildlife conservation through animal rehabilitation and public education. Hart believes the python was most likely abandoned due to the "overwhelming pressure of the vet bills and expenses" caused by its mouth infection. Such financial strain "unfortunately leads to an awful solution to the problem," he said. Retrieving the 16-foot snake was no easy feat, as she was "pure muscle," Hart added. This stock image shows a snake. This stock image shows a snake. Getty Images What People Are Saying Joseph Hart told Fox News: "I was totally manhandling her and grabbing her neck and head very tight, which I don't enjoy doing with any creature. I'm apologizing to her, and at that moment, I think the bystanders around realized that she meant no harm, and so I continued to educate the people about the animal." He added: "She's a very tame breaks my heart because this person most likely did take care of the snake, did love the snake and was just overwhelmed with the medical issue and decided to make a very poor decision about abandoning her." What Happens Next? Hart and his team at Reptile Hunter are working to rehabilitate the python, whom they have named "Apples." "We've been giving her antibiotic injections and we have been cleaning out her mouth with hydrogen peroxide and iodine. It's really gruesome and I feel so extremely painful as you can imagine," he said, adding that he has "high hopes" the snake will make a full recovery.
Fox News
10-08-2025
- General
- Fox News
Reptile hunter climbs into apartment building dumpster to remove 16-foot python in Los Angeles
A reptile hunter sprang into action last week to remove a 16-foot python that was slithering around a dumpster at a Los Angeles apartment building. Dramatic video shows 24-year-old Joseph Hart — sporting just jeans and a T-shirt — sitting on the edge of the dumpster and inching toward the large reptile, before carefully working to detach the animal that was tightly gripping the garbage container's rim. Hart said he was doing computer work at a coffee shop earlier that day when he first received a call about a snake in a dumpster. Upon arrival at the building, Hart assessed the python's temperament – noting the animal was not hostile and seemed like it had been trying to escape. "They're not good climbers at this size," Hart told Fox News Digital. "… So the fact that she was elevated told me that she was definitely trying to get away." Hart said removing the 65-pound, female snake was difficult because she was "pure muscle." But with some careful repositioning, and some assistance from bystanders with moving the dumpster away from the wall, he was able to successfully get the snake out of the container. The video then shows the python, who Hart later named 'Apples,' wrapped around the reptile hunter as he speaks to bystanders. "I was totally manhandling her and grabbing her neck and head very tight, which I don't enjoy doing with any creature," Hart told Fox News Digital. "I'm apologizing to her, and at that moment, I think the bystanders around realized that she meant no harm, and so I continued to educate the people about the animal." The large reptile also had a mouth infection, which may have been the reason why she had been abandoned in the container in the first place, according to Hart. "She's a very tame animal," Hart said. "… It breaks my heart because this person most likely did take care of the snake, did love the snake and was just overwhelmed with the medical issue and decided to make a very poor decision about abandoning her." Hart, who also describes himself as a wildlife rehabilitator, said his passion for reptiles began at an early age, having had a strong interest in dinosaurs and wildlife TV shows. "I have the best job in the world right now," he said. "I love it."
Fox News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Reptile hunter removes 16-foot python from LA apartment building dumpster
Joseph Hart, sporting just jeans and a T-shirt, carefully removed the python from the apartment building dumpster in Los Angeles. (Credit: Instagram / @
NDTV
10-08-2025
- General
- NDTV
In Terrifying Video, Reptile Wrangler Captures 20-Foot Python From Dumpster In Los Angeles
A massive 20-foot python was found on top of a dumpster in the parking garage of The Piero Apartments in downtown Los Angeles, causing a stir among residents. When animal control and the LAPD couldn't respond, reptile wrangler Joseph Hart was called to handle the situation, the New York Post reported. Mr Hart calmly captured the python with his bare hands. Wearing just jeans and a T-shirt, he hopped into the dumpster and carefully grabbed the snake just below the head, preventing it from biting him. Mr Hart told KCAL that removing the python required special care due to its size and strength. "The snake was not wanting to get off the dumpster. She was frightened, as you could imagine. There were a lot of people there. She's just been in this weird situation. She was stressed out," he said. He later shared a video of the python capture on social media, excitedly describing it as "some good old-fashioned reptile wrangling." "This poor snake, who we've named "Apples", was left in a small bin container in a dumpster at an apartment complex in downtown LA. Now this is majorly upsetting because this is a case of mistreatment and animal cruelty. You can see that Apple has a horrible mouth infection, which is quite common with snakes in the pet trade. This breaks my heart because the previous owner was most likely overwhelmed with the idea of treating the medical condition, as vet bills can be pricey. But dumping or abandoning the animal is no solution either," he wrote on Instagram. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joseph Hart, REPTILE HUNTER (@ After capturing the python, Mr Hart educated residents about the snake. He noticed she had a severe mouth infection, likely due to poor care in the pet trade, which may cause her to lose some teeth. The snake is now receiving treatment in Riverside and is expected to make a full recovery after a few months of antibiotics and proper care. On his website, Mr Hart said his mission is to "promote wildlife conservation through animal rehabilitation and public education." Reticulated pythons are one of the world's longest snake species, native to Southeast Asia, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Fox News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Reptile Hunter captures massive 16-foot python in downtown Los Angeles
Reptile Hunter Joseph Hart tells 'Fox & Friends Weekend' about giving a second chance to a massive 16-foot python discovered in downtown Los Angeles.
