Exotic snake discovered slithering around Ontario sewage plant

An exotic snake was discovered inside an Ontario wastewater treatment facility last week after making its way through the sewer system and into the plant's mechanical screening equipment.

The snake, a ball python, was first spotted on the inlet screens at the Little River Pollution Control Plant in Windsor, Ont., by chief operator Jeff Miller.

The snake was slithering nearly 25 feet underground before it moved into a collection bin and attempted to climb out, according to a Facebook post shared by the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.

Thankfully, Miller was able to safely retrieve the snake and contacted the Humane Society's animal protection team for assistance.

City of Windsor officials say the area is routinely inspected, which suggests that the snake most likely had not been inside the system for long. It's unclear how the ball python managed to enter the plant, but one leading theory has been that it might have escaped from a home and entered the stormwater system, possibly through a curb catch basin.

Throughout the years, Humane Society staff say they've recovered many animals from the screening system, but unfortunately, snakes don't typically survive the experience.

"We're grateful this one was found in time — it's now receiving care from our medical team, who are hopeful it will make a full recovery," staff wrote about the female reptile, which is likely between three and five years old.

Ball pythons (Python regius), also referred to as royal pythons, are a species native to West and Central Africa. According to the Toronto Zoo, adult female ball pythons are larger than adult males and grow to reach between 1 and 1.5 metres in length.

They can be distinguished by their black or dark brown colouring, with light brown or gold sides and dorsal blotches.

Although the snake miraculously survived, Humane Society staff reminded folks in their Facebook post that exotic pets should never be released into the environment.

"If you can no longer care for an animal, please reach out for help finding safe alternatives," they wrote.

blogTO has reached out to the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society for an update on the snake.