Ananova:

A stolen snake was found in Australia - after it ate an endangered marsupial fitted with a tracking device.

The 6ft 7in carpet python was taken by thieves from a research centre near Perth just after it had eaten the woylie.

After picking up the signal from the air, scientists and police tracked it on foot to a house in Heathridge, reports local media.

"It's fair to say the people were shocked when we turned up," Sgt Damian Ellson said. "They had no idea the snake had a tracking device inside its stomach."

The python ate the woylie, which is a small mammal, in the wild at Narrogin, complete with transmitter, and was brought to the centre so the tracking device could be removed from the snake.

The snake would have died had rescuers not found her. She will be released after she regurgitates the tracker.

Joondalup Police have charged a 31-year-old man with receiving stolen goods. The investigation is ongoing.