Melbourne police officer searches backpack and finds a snake

Police were rattled to find a live carpet python while searching a wanted man's backpack on a Melbourne street.

A surprised police officer found the snake in Richmond on Tuesday morning after slipping his hand into the backpack of a 41-year-old North Melbourne man wanted on warrants.

He was not licensed to carry the reptile and was arrested.

He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 October charged with possess wildlife without a licence. 

The snake was passed on to the environment department.