Authorities confirmed Tuesday that a local Florida man discovered a backyard snake so large it meets the minimum length requirements to be considered a limited-access roadway. The reptile, which was initially mistaken for an unusually confident stretch of pavement, was found coiled neatly between a lawn chair and a collapsed fence panel.

According to officials, the snake has been safely contained within the man’s backyard, where it currently occupies most available zoning categories. The Florida Department of Transportation clarified that while the animal qualifies as a highway by length, it does not yet qualify for federal funding or toll collection.

Neighbors reported minimal disruption, noting that traffic flow remains smooth as long as no one attempts to cross the yard on foot. “It’s honestly quieter than when he had a jet ski back there,” said one resident, adding that the snake appears well-marked and surprisingly reflective at night.

For now, authorities say the snake will remain in the backyard until further actions are taken, studies are conducted, or it applies for state recognition. Residents have been advised not to merge onto the animal without signaling and to avoid sudden lane changes near the tail.