iStockphoto / Leeman
A grocery store in southern New Hampshire wasn’t quite sure how to proceed and called for help after finding a venomous snake tucked away inside a shipment of bananas. The venomous snake was a Ornate Cat-eyed Snake from Ecuador that had somehow hitched a ride from South America to the Granite State in the middle of Winter.
If ever there was an easy idea for the next Pixar or Disney movie served up from national news, this might be it. A snake slithering around a banana plantation one minute in Ecuador and the next it wakes up in New Hampshire. Were there shenanigans and adventures along the way? Hopefully the writers will fill in the blanks on that.
According to the NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division, one of their Conservation Officers was called to the grocery store on Saturday the 15th after the Ornate Cat-eyed Snake was found inside the shipment of bananas. Though the venom is mild, this is a venomous snake… I say this as someone who just took a crash course learning about this particular snake species courtesy of the Reptiles of Ecuador website.
Here is the one recovered from the bushel of bananas which somehow made its way from Ecuador to New Hampshire with a stowaway hiding inside… CBP, where were you on this?!
NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division and Operation Game Thief
In a press release, the NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division announced the Ornate Cat-eyed Snake was re-homed to Rainforest Reptile Shows Inc. which operates animal and reptile shows throughout the Northeast in MA, NH, RI, and CT.
On Facebook, Rainforest Reptile Shows Inc. thanked the NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division for “ensuring a smooth and quick transition for our newest animal resident!” They also noted that they are in possession of “over 60 venomous reptiles—including cobras, rattlesnakes, taipans, vipers, and more! Every single one comes from situations like this, rescued with the help of law enforcement. Many were illegally owned pets, neglected, or kept in poor conditions. Through dedicated care, we work to rehabilitate and improve their health, giving them the best life possible.”
Adding that of the 60+ venomous reptiles “some remain with us for life, while others find homes in accredited zoos and aquariums where they help educate people about the natural world.”
One thing is for certain, this venomous snake has a much cooler story than most of the snakes you encounter at a reptile show. Not many of those specimens were accidentally flown across the world and tricky enough to sneak their way past the TSA/Border Control scanners.