a snake that subdues its prey by constriction
It is harmless or even beneficial to humans as it helps to control populations of wild rodent pests that pose a threat to crops and spread disease
The corn snake can be kept legally in Belgium
It is not yet clear how the snake got into the house and where it came from
On Saturday the Bruges fire service received a call from a local resident
who had found a snake in his house that did not belong there
The fire-fighters alerted SOS Reptile to find out more
"The snake was quickly identified as a corn snake
one of the most popular snakes kept in our country," Mario Goes of SOS Reptile says
"The fire brigade first thought the snake was sick because it displayed a huge lump in its body
but the serpent had really just eaten," Mario laughs
so I suspect it had just eaten a mouse."
SOS Reptile receives more reports of snakes invading houses
"That's because of the warm weather," Mario continues
The owner has two more weeks to contact SOS Reptile
after which the snake will be put up for adoption