Council workers got more than they bargained for when they emptied a bin to find a dead two-metre-long python.
The staff were carrying out waste checks for Clackmannanshire Council when they made the discovery on Thursday.
The 14kg snake is thought to have been a pet that was dumped by its owner in the Alva area after it died.
Councillor Eddie Carrick said: “The death of pets is inevitable but this is the first time our workers have found such a large snake and it really gave them quite a surprise.”
Mr Carrick said the workers were checking what recyclable materials were being put into the council’s green bins as part of a waste analysis project.
He said: “This is so that we can better target our messages encouraging residents to recycle.”
The green bins are used by residents to dispose of non-recyclable items.