Man steals python by putting it down his trousers (video)

A man has been caught on CCTV stealing from a pet shop in the United States - by smuggling a two-foot long python down his trousers.

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The manager of A to Z Pets in Portland, Oregon noticed that the creature was missing on Friday.

When she went through the security footage she spotted the man walking up to the snake's cage and dropping the large reptile down his trousers before waddling out of the shop.

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Christin Bjugan, the owner of the pet store, told Inside Edition that the black pastel ball python was actually one of their employees' pets.

He added that they know who the thief is - and he has been seen around town wearing the two foot long snake around his neck.

According to Oregon Live she said: "We know where he lives, we know where he works, we know all about him and his girlfriend. We're just waiting to get our snake back."

Sgt. Greg Stewart from the Portland Police Bureau said: "If you look at the theft of stuff from pet stores, a lot of times it's someone wandering in drunk and doing something stupid.

"This one's a little bit different, although putting a snake down your pants is not super-bright. There are a lot of different ways that could go wrong."