Police Rescues a Harmless Big Gray Rat Snake Found in Home's Toilet in Alabama

Police immediately  helped a homeowner in Alabama after they found a big gray rat snake hiding in the toilet. The snake is considered harmless and non-venomous. 

Newsweek published the story, saying that the incident happened on Friday in Eufaula.

The snake found in the toilet is considered non-venomous. Immediately, the homeowners reported it to the police, who responded quickly.

According to the Eufaula Alabama Police Department, which was dispatched to the call, they shared with their official Facebook page that they never thought that kind of call they would receive from their shift.

However, they added that a snake hiding in the homeowner's toilet was not on their lists. 

After they responded to the request, they removed the unwelcome visitor and finally released them to a more suitable habitat. 

Seeing a snake in the neighborhood forces the animal to hide because there could be infrastructure development encroaching on their habitats.

Also Read: Only in Florida: Rare Snake Meets Tragic Death After Swallowing Massive Centipede 

In Newsweek's report, Nicole Angeli, a researcher at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, explained several reasons why snakes might end up in toilets.

They might be looking for water, hunting prey, or hiding places.

The Harmless Snake

According to the Florida Museum website,  the snake is called Pantherophis spiloides. Other common names associated with it are White Oak Snake, Gray Rat Snake, and Oak Snake.

They are light gray with darker gray blotches. The belly is seen to have sandy gray with dark square spots. Most adult gray rat snakes can reach 42 to 72 inches.

The same report added that the snake catches large prey by constricting and swallowing directly for smaller prey.

The rat snake prefers a diet of lizards, birds with their eggs, and frogs.

Newsweek explained that the gray rat snakes are skilled in climbing trees or buildings to rest or hunt for prey, such as birds with their eggs.

The Museum further said that the snake is considered non-venomous, meaning they do not pose a danger to humans and pets.

The said snakes are not aggressive and prefer avoiding people and other animals.

On the contrary, the rat snake can position a defensive stance or flee from the scene. As a last resort, the snake can bite to protect itself if it feels threatened or intentionally attacked.

Moreover, the gray rate snakes hide in inconspicuous areas to avoid direct contact with humans. They can be found in swamps, agricultural fields, and pinelands.

The Florida Museum noted that the gray rat snakes are in comparison with other non-venomous snake species:

• Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
• Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis

What to do

The Florida Museum suggested tips for finding a snake at your home, whether non-venomous or venomous.

• Safest bet is to leave alone and report to nearby authorities.
• If you get bitten by the snake, stay calm and remove anything that can restrict circulation. It is advisable to visit a clinic or hospital immediately.

Related Article: Scientists Discover Three New Ground Snake Species in Ecuador

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