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'Distraught' Family Calls Wildlife Park For Help After Finding A Snake Hiding Under Their Sofa
Don't worry about monsters under the bed. What about snakes under the sofa?
On Monday, Oct. 7, the ARK Wildlife & Dinosaur Park in Lincolnshire, England, revealed on Facebook that it received a call from a "distraught lady" to remove a reptile that had found its way under her family's couch.
"I didn't know what it was," the woman's husband, Harry Pantziz, told BBC after noting that his wife was the first to spot a snake's head peeking from under the couple's couch.
"My wife called someone. We were watching from the window. It was a little scary," he recalled of waiting outside for an expert to handle the scaly intruder.
When someone from the park went to investigate, they found the whole family standing "outside their house" and the snake — described as a "Florida kingsnake" that was a meter (3 ft.) long — under the sofa as described, according to ARK Wildlife & Dinosaur Park.
"If you aren't used to snakes, having one turn up in your house in the middle of the night is probably going to freak you out," Jamie Mintram with ARK Wildlife & Dinosaur Park told BBC, adding that the family was "not very happy about his [the snake's] presence."
A spokesperson for the park told the outlet that the snake "probably entered the home looking for warmth" since the creature "wouldn't have survived for long outside" due to the cool temperature, which was between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit that day.
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The wildlife park and animal sanctuary shared a photo of the snake with brown and yellow scales peeking its head out from under the gray sofa. A second snap shows someone with the wildlife crew holding the small snake in their hand with a tool on the couch behind it.
A Florida Kingsnake found under a couch in England.Ark Wildlife & Dinosaur Park/ Facebook
The park noted that the "poor little snake" — which they nicknamed "Mickey," per BBC — was "definitely not a Lincolnshire native" and "was very cold" after being removed from under the couch. ARK took the creature in after it "warmed up and [was] health checked."
Mintram told BBC that the snake appeared "lethargic" due to the cold but became more "active" after it warmed up. He added that the snake is "doing rather well" at the park.
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ARK Wildlife & Dinosaur Park shared on Facebook that it was still searching for the snake's owners and would require proof of ownership before returning the snake.
"We're keen to see if we can find an owner who might have lost him. Snakes are very good escape artists," Mintram told BBC.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Florida Kingsnake is indigenous to the Florida peninsula and can grow to be about 36 to 48 inches long. The snakes are "non-venomous" and "are not dangerous to people or pets," though they can bite if they feel threatened.
Pet Snakes: Types Of Species, Essential Care Tips And What To Know Before Choosing Your Snake Pet
One of the fascinating creatures is that snakes are not suitable pets for everyone. They have specific care needs and should only be kept by the individuals who are ready to meet those demands. Are you looking to pet snakes? There are over 3,000 snake species in the world which are identified worldwide and the numbers keep growing as new species are introduced and discovered. However, not all snake species are suitable for pets.The most popular pet snakes are from the families Boidae Pythonidae and Colubridae. If you want to pet a snake, here are few species one can go for:Types of pet snake species
Boidae These are the common sight of snake species in terms of keeping snakes as a pet. It grows up to 10 feet and sometimes to 15 feet. Keeping these snake species has to be committed to feed large rats or rabbits. They are recognised by the red tip on their tails with an average life span of 30 years.They are known for their burrowing behaviour where these snakes grow to about 1.5 feet. They are beautifully patterned with yellow and brown. They can be good pets because of their manageable size and their unique hunting style that involves hiding under the sand with only exposing their head.
Pythonidae One of the most popular pet snakes, ball pythons are known for their docile nature. They can grow about 3 to 5 feet and have an average lifespan of 35 years. They are easy to care for and ideal for first-time snake owners.Burmese pythons are massive that grow up to 20 feet and very common as pets. They generally remain calm but require more care due to their size and diet of larger prey. They are better suited for experienced adult snake owners.These snakes are quite visually appealing oftenly hanging elegantly from branches. They grow up to 5 feet and are vibrant green in colour and occasionally spotted with yellow or blue spots.The blood pythons are known for their striking red blotches and yes, it grows up to 8 feet. Although their temper can sometimes be challenging, they remain popular because of their unique appearance.
Colubridae King snakes are known for their ability to eat other snakes and are best when kept alone. They grow up to 5-7 feet.The milk snakes are considered to mimic the venomous coral snake's colour patterns. There is a rhyme Red on yellow can kill a fellow but red on black is a friend of Jack, this helps to distinguish between the harmless milk snake and dangerous coral snake.These are considered as the athletic snakes that can swim, climb trees and mimic rattlesnake by vibrating its tail when they are threatened.This is the species of rat snake that is a popular choice for the beginners and experienced snake keepers. These species grow up to 5 feet and are known for their escape artist tendencies and calm making them an ideal choice as pets.
What to know before choosing a pet snake? When you are choosing a snake, one should remember that it's a long term commitment as many live for over 20 years. One should need to be comfortable feeding their snake prey animals, it should be frozen or pre-killed, which is also the safest option. An escape-proof enclosure is essential as snakes are excellent escape artists too. The large venomous snake species are not recommended for safety reasons.
How to choose a healthy snake? Know the potential pet snake for signs of illness such as bubbles from the nose, closed eyes or rot mouth. One should ask for a feeding demonstration to ensure the snake is eating pre-killed prey as well. This is especially important for species like ball pythons where feeding can have issues.
Pet snake care tips
The Rainbow Snake Feasts On American Eels
The rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma) — sometimes called an eel moccasin or red-lined snake — is a nonvenomous snake. It has vibrant coloration and a specialized diet. Humans rarely see rainbow snakes (despite their striking appearance) because they spend much of their lives hidden in aquatic habitats.
These creatures primarily live in the southeastern United States, where they inhabit swamps, rivers and other freshwater environments. Their secretive nature and unique behaviors make them a subject of interest for herpetologists and reptile enthusiasts alike.
Physical Characteristics of Rainbow SnakesRainbow snakes have stunning coloration, which gives them their name. Adult rainbow snakes have a glossy, black or dark blue back with three red stripes running the length of their bodies. The underside of the snake is typically yellow or red with black spots.
Juvenile rainbow snakes have similar coloration but may be more vibrant.
Male rainbow snakes tend to be smaller and slimmer than females, but both sexes share the same colorful appearance. The common rainbow snake can grow to relatively impressive lengths, often reaching 3 to 4 feet (0.914 to 1.22 meters), with some growing even longer.
Subspecies of Rainbow SnakesThere are a couple recognized subspecies of the rainbow snake, with the most well-known being the common rainbow snake and the southern Florida rainbow snake.
Common Rainbow SnakeThe common rainbow snake lives throughout the southeastern United States. Known for its iridescent, rainbow-like scales, this snake primarily inhabits freshwater environments such as swamps, marshes and slow-moving rivers.
It feeds on aquatic prey — especially eels — making it a key player in the local ecosystem. The rainbow snake poses no threat to humans and is a protected species in some areas due to habitat loss.
Southern Florida Rainbow SnakeThe southern Florida rainbow snake is native to a more restricted range in South Florida, and it may even be extinct. (The last confirmed specimen was collected in 1952, but there have been unconfirmed sightings in the years since.)
Social Habits of Rainbow SnakesRainbow snakes are solitary creatures, coming together only during the breeding season. They are highly secretive and spend most of their time hidden in aquatic habitats.
Unlike many other snakes, rainbow snakes are not commonly seen basking in the sun; instead, they are under logs, debris or in the water itself. These snakes are primarily nocturnal, becoming active at night to hunt and explore their environment.
The Rainbow Snake DietRainbow snakes have a specialized diet that primarily consists of eels, earning them the nickname "eel moccasins." The skilled hunters often consume their prey alive. Rainbow snakes eat a variety of aquatic prey, but eels make up the bulk of their diet, particularly the American eel.
Young rainbow snakes may also consume smaller prey such as tadpoles and small fish. The snake's slender body and sharp teeth allow it to catch and hold onto slippery, wriggling prey in the water.
Rainbow Snake EnvironmentRainbow snakes spend most of their lives in aquatic habitats. They primarily live in freshwater environments, such as rivers, streams, swamps and marshes, particularly in areas with dense vegetation and plenty of hiding spots.
These habitats provide the cover and resources rainbow snakes need to thrive, including their preferred prey.
The snakes are excellent swimmers, using their long, muscular bodies to navigate through the water with ease. They are rarely far from water and rely heavily on these aquatic ecosystems for survival.
Life Cycle of Rainbow SnakesThe life cycle of a rainbow snake begins with the mating season, which occurs in the spring. After mating, female rainbow snakes lay their eggs in concealed, moist locations such as under logs, in sand or within rotting vegetation near water.
A typical clutch can contain anywhere from 10 to 50 eggs, depending on the size of the female. The eggs incubate for several months before hatching in late summer or early fall.
Young rainbow snakes are independent from birth, though they remain hidden and vulnerable during their early stages of life. As they grow, juvenile rainbow snakes gradually develop the vibrant coloration that characterizes adult rainbow snakes.
Conservation StatusRainbow snakes are not currently considered endangered, though the southern Florida rainbow snake may be extinct. Rainbow snake populations are vulnerable to habitat destruction and pollution, particularly in areas where there are threats to freshwater ecosystems.
While not as well-known as other species, such as eastern indigo snakes, rainbow snakes play an important role in their ecosystems and are a fascinating species worth conserving. Conservation efforts focus on preserving the aquatic habitats that are crucial for the survival of these snakes and protecting them from the impacts of human activities.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: The Rainbow Snake Feasts on American Eels
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