A massive reticulated python was caught slithering through a pensioner's garden to escape the sweltering heat in Thailand.

The 12ft-long snake entered the home and coiled itself under the cool shade of the family's flower pots in Ang Thong province on April 8.

The terrified homeowner, 65, said she heard a strange noise from her garage and found the python slithering toward the front door.

She fled inside and called snake wranglers as it made its way to the side of the house.

Footage shows local animal rescuer Ratha Tapianthong grabbing the python by its head and hauling it onto the street outside.

The female reptile which weighed a whopping 20 kilogrammes was placed inside a plastic bag and later released into its natural habitat.

The shaken housewife said: 'The python may have been looking for a cool and comfortable place to take shelter since it's scorching in Thailand right now. I was shocked by its large size.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.