A woman in South Carolina had quite the surprise when she discovered a snake lurking behind her toilet upon waking up.
The serpent did not belong to her. She had never encountered that creature before. She was completely baffled by its origin, the species of the snake, and how it managed to find its way into her house. At approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, residents of the woman’s apartment complex reported hearing a piercing scream for assistance, as noted by local publication The State.
A resident of Columbia initially reached out to her friend, and they concluded that the most appropriate step was to notify the authorities. The sheriff’s department reported that Deputy Shannon Huffman, who arrived at the scene with extensive experience handling various animals, “knew exactly what to do.”
“This was definitely a unique call for service for us,” Master Deputy Alexandra Salrin said.
Although law enforcement frequently receives calls regarding animal-related concerns, encounters involving exotic species are uncommon. Nevertheless, authorities are equipped to handle various situations.
The snake was skillfully contained within a pillowcase. Fortunately, both the snake and the woman emerged unscathed, with the sole issue being some flooding in the bathroom — the cause of which remains uncertain.
“We were able to provide a solution to the resident quickly and save the snake’s life,” Salrin said.
Authorities indicated that the snake likely belonged to an owner, given its impressive size, although details regarding its exact length have not been disclosed. So far, there have been no claims made for the snake. The circumstances surrounding the snake’s entry into the woman’s apartment remain a mystery to law enforcement.
One of the deputies from the sheriff’s department has taken in the snake as they assist in locating a permanent home for it.