Mildly venomous snake discovered in shipment of bananas

In New Hampshire, an employee at a Market Basket store encountered a surprising sight while unloading a shipment of bananas over the weekend. The New Hampshire Fish and Game reported that the employee found a small ornate cat-eyed snake, measuring approximately 1.5 feet in length, hidden among the fruit. This snake, described as mildly venomous, is native to Ecuador, making its presence in a banana shipment an unusual incident. Fortunately, the employee was knowledgeable about reptiles, which facilitated the safe handling of the snake. Lt. Adam Cheney from the New Hampshire Fish and Game expressed his surprise at the encounter, stating that such discoveries are rare. Despite being accustomed to dealing with local reptiles, the ornate cat-eyed snake represented a unique challenge. This incident was reported as similar to “opening a Christmas present” for those involved, highlighting the excitement and intrigue surrounding the rare find. The snake was unharmed during the ordeal and was subsequently rehomed with Rainforest Reptile Shows, Inc., an organization specializing in the care of exotic animals. Rainforest Reptile Shows expressed gratitude for the alert Market Basket employees and affirmed that they would take precautions in handling the venomous species for future outreach events. They announced plans to keep the snake as part of their educational programs, ensuring it receives proper care. Rainforest Reptile Shows also reassured the public that finding snakes in shipments is uncommon. While there is always a possibility of encountering hitchhikers like reptiles during transportation from tropical areas, these instances typically involve smaller creatures such as lizards or frogs. The organization aims to continually inform and educate the public about these exotic species and their habitats, providing updates on their newest addition through social media platforms.