A man in Austria was bitten by a 1.6-metre python during an early-morning visit to the toilet at his home on Monday, police said.

The reptile, which apparently escaped from a neighbour’s apartment and may have slithered through the drains, was cleaned and handed back to its owner.

The 65-year-old victim "felt a 'nip' in the genital area" shortly after sitting on the toilet at home in Graz just after 6 a.m., according to a statement from police in Styria province. He then looked into the toilet and discovered the albino reticulated python.

The snake apparently had escaped unnoticed from the apartment of the man's 24-year-old neighbour. It wasn't immediately possible to figure out how it escaped and how it got into the toilet, but police said it may have made its way through the drains.

The python that inflicted the bite. (Photo / Austrian Police)

A reptile expert was called to retrieve the snake, which was returned to his owner. Police said the younger man kept 11 non-venomous constrictor snakes and a gecko in his apartment, in terrariums and drawers. He faces an investigation on suspicion of causing bodily harm by negligence.

The victim sustained only minor injuries, police said.

The species is not known to target humans but has inflicted multiple fatalities and has swallowed people whole.

Although 1.6 metres might sound impressive, the reticulated python can grow as long as 6.5 metres.

The albino mutation has been selectively bred by the pet industry and has led to increased popularity in keeping the species.