WZVN (Naples, Florida) 03 December 13 Python shows up in East Naples yard (Christy Andrews)

Collier County, FL: An East Naples man tells us he came within feet of a 12-foot long python in his own backyard.

"It's really surprising to see something that big in your backyard," said Rick Dominicks.

Landscapers spotted the snake while doing yard work. Dominicks said he went out too look and mistakenly got too close.

"I started scooping the brush off of him and he poked his head up, and I said, ‘whoa!'" Dominicks said.

Dominicks shot and killed the python before it could make a move.

"I had to do what I had to do," he said. "I didn't want him to turn and get a hold of me."

His chickens may not have been so lucky. Five of them have disappeared this month.

"I didn't know what could have been getting the chickens," Dominicks said. "I guess [the snake] could be one of the culprits."

The sighting is not completely rare. Experts say now is when pythons and other snakes start popping up.

"It starts to get really cold and they need to go out there and heat up their bodies before they can go out there and start doing their thing," said Jorge Pino, a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer.

Wildlife officers said pythons are out more this time of year, but still said finding one in your backyard is very uncommon.

"This is a very unlikely scenery and probably one that won't repeat itself," Pino said.

Experts think the snake was someone's pet that got loose, not a python from the wild.

It is not illegal to shoot a python on your own property, but experts said it is important to report it.

"It's very important for us to have a detailed database for where or where not these snakes are migrating to," Pino said.

With no way of knowing where the python came from, Dominicks isn't taking any chances. He said he knows one wrong step could land big consequences.

"I always keep an eye out for anything back there because you never know what's going to be back there," Dominicks said.

To report a python sighting, call the exotic species hotline at 888-483-4681
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