This is the terrifying moment a huge python was found curled up in a shoe rack in Thailand.

The 10ft serpent slithered into the home to take shelter from the rain in Lopburi, on May 13.

Snake catchers arrived after resident Noppol Maysa, 32, reported the reptile lurking on the second floor of the house.

Footage shows snake catchers prodding the sinister serpent seen lounging inside a shoe cubby. They pinned its head with a pole before dragging it out into the open.

The python's midsection bulged from its last meal. It was placed inside a sack and later freed into the wilderness.

Noppol said: 'As my niece was heading to her room, I suddenly heard a loud scream. I ran to check and found she had locked herself in her room, crying that there was a snake in the shoe cabinet.

'I called the rescue team right away. I think the snake had probably just finished eating and slithered inside to escape the rain and find warmth. I didn't expect it to go all the way up to the second floor.'

A wildlife volunteer said: 'We would like to warn everyone to carefully check their shoes before putting them on, especially during the rainy season when snakes often slither into homes to seek warmth.'

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.