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06/02/2009 11:58 PM

Bronx Family Gets Slithering Surprise

By: NY1 News

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A Bronx family had an unexpected guest in their apartment Tuesday, in the form of a three-and-a-half foot long yellow rat snake.

Police say a woman called 911 around 7:30 a.m. after finding it slithering in her living room.

Animal Care and Control officials took the snake to an exotic pet specialist in Brooklyn where it's being cared for.

"It's a very common thing. Snakes are escape artists. And they can get into the smallest crevices and they can pop up almost anywhere," said Sean Casey of Sean Casey Animal Rescue.

"Throw either a sheet over it or a towel, and put it in a pillow case. That's the best way to handle a snake. It doesn't stress them out as much. And, it's easier to handle and also protect yourself from getting bit or anything like that," said Animal Care and Control officer Lisa Ortiz.

Casey says if no one claims the snake, who they've named Stanley, he will be put up for adoption.

Yellow rat snakes are native to the southeast and are not poisonous.