Did a Couple Find a Giant Snake Under the Hood of Their Car?

A story and photo have surfaced in social media circles about a couple traveling through South Africa who discovered a giant snake coiled on top of their engine when they lifted the hood of their car. Is there any truth to this story and the photo?

It appears to be a real story.

The extended report can be found on this site, in an article dated June 29, 2012, where we read about Marlene and Leon Swart who were visiting Kruger National Park in South Africa, when they spotted a giant snake in the grass. The snake went under their car and disappeared up into the engine compartment. After driving 5 kilometers, they stopped and raised the hood of their car to find this behemoth snake coiled atop their engine. Photos were taken, and one has started circulating heavily online. The caption being circulated reads:

A couple discovered a huge python hitching a ride in their car. The slithery squatter sneaked underneath the bonnet of Marlene Swart and Leon Swanepoel’s car while they were on holiday at the Kruger National Park in South Africa. They were on the look-out for lions when the five-metre python shot out of the grass and disappeared under their car. When the snake failed to reappear Marlene and Leon were forced to endure a three-mile journey knowing the python was somewhere inside their vehicle before arriving at the nearest lookout point.

Photos

Below is a series of photos posted online which appear to show the snake before, during, and after its discovery in the car.

Despite the difference in last name spellings, the caption does retain the essence of the article published in June. The original story has several photos to bolster their account, which we have included above. Skeptics point out that a snake would likely be harmed and/or burned by the engine in such a scenario, and that this story could have been fabricated and the photos could have been staged.

Bottom Line

Because there are multiple photos and a first-hand account, it appears that this is likely a real story. What do you think? Do you believe the story and photos are real?