Boris the python stolen, wrestled

A man accused of stealing a python from a Melbourne reptile shop and wrestling it in a fast food car park allegedly asked for help when the snake started to bite him, a court has heard.

Nicholas Jones, 22, was arrested on Wednesday night after police discovered the 1.5-metre black-headed python named Boris in a glass tank in a McDonald's car park in Preston.

Jones and another man, 24, were later charged with burglary and theft offences including the theft of a sand monitor lizard and the python from the Totally Reptiles shop in St James Road, Rosanna, in Melbourne's northeast, shortly before 4am (AEST) on Wednesday.

Neither man held wildlife handling permits, the Heidelberg Magistrates Court was told on Thursday.

Detective Senior Constable Rodney Andrew said a police search of a car at McDonald's had located the python inside a glass tank, two sets of black gloves, one black balaclava, a set of bolt cutters and a sledge hammer.

A mobile phone belonging to Jones was also located in the back seat.

Text messages later retrieved from the phone included a message sent by Jones at 9.34pm on Wednesday that read: "Hey bro can you come meet me cos its off guts tried to bite me sorry bug."

An earlier text message sent to Jones' phone on Tuesday afternoon also read: "Sus a pet shop today if you can for a sandy."

Police said the thieves turned up at the McDonald's outlet about 10pm (AEST) with Boris.

"They took it out and began wrestling with it as puzzled customers looked on," a Victoria Police spokesman said.

Totally Reptiles owner Jodie Graham was relieved Boris had been returned to her shaken and cold but otherwise alright.

Ms Graham said Boris would not have harmed his kidnappers.

"He was not going to hurt them because he is used to being handled and has a very nice personality," she told AAP.

"Like any animal that is not handled properly, it can upset him and make him angry and he can head-butt people or get cage protective and carry on in his enclosure.

"He was a bit cold and stressed so I have him in the tank warming up, it needs to be 30 degrees ideally. I am just glad to get him back."

Black-headed pythons are native to northern Australia, and described as terrestrial but docile, not venomous and are unlikely to bite unless hunting prey.

They are popular pets and command high prices.

The court heard Jones, who has an intellectual disability, has a transient lifestyle and no settled accommodation.

Police opposed bail.

Magistrate Jennifer Gurbissa remanded Jones until Tuesday for a further hearing.

- AAP