A Chicago driver recently discovered an unexpected passenger slithering through her Toyota Crown sedan: a four-foot-long snake.

Ball pythons aren’t a common sight for anyone in Illinois, let alone in a car. The woman recently purchased the sedan from out of state. When she suddenly caught a glimpse of the serpent, it quickly fled from view…heading deeper into the vehicle. Not knowing (or wanting) to remove the animal herself, she called around for help.

Ultimately, Brad Lundsteen of Suburban Wildlife Control responded. Typically, Lundsteen handles raccoons, squirrels, and other local critters hunkering down in residences. This job was a curveball.

“Snake in the car was definitely an unusual call,” Lundsteen said.

Lundsteen arrived to find the python wedged deep into the car’s undercarriage, refusing to budge. “The minute the snake saw her, it went right up the undercarriage and it was gone,” he explained. The snake had nestled itself tightly around the car, showing incredible strength.

The retrieval process wasn’t easy, NBC 5 Chicago reported. Lundsteen pulled slowly, working for about 30 minutes to extract the stubborn snake. “These guys, when they grab on, they are so strong,” he said. Signs suggested the python had been inside the vehicle for some time…like its smell.

Ball pythons, native to Sub-Saharan Africa, are obviously out of place in Illinois. They’re popular as pets, though, leading Lundsteen to believe the animal had hitched a ride from wherever the car originated.

“I know the snake didn’t come from here, obviously, so it just goes to show animals do get in and hitch rides,” he said.

Now that the python’s hitchhiking days are over, Lundsteen plans to work with local reptile rescues to find the snake a permanent home.