Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
Video Credit: AsiaWire
This is the moment a homeowner spots a 10-foot snake slithering along the power lines right outside his neighbour’s first-floor window before a snake catcher was called in to nab it.
The incredibly long reptile manoeuvres with ease along the utility cables as it searches for prey in the county of Qidong in Central China’s Hunan Province.
The homeowner’s footage shows the yellow and green beauty rat snake (Elaphe taeniura) using the horizontal power lines to travel along the narrow alleyway.
Known for its climbing ability, the snake ends up right outside the neighbour’s window, and the sight left the homeowner calling local authorities.
The snake later climbed down to the ground and was captured by a snake catcher, who is believed to have handed it over to forestry officials for release.
Picture Credit: AsiaWire
Huang Feng, a reptile expert with the Hengyang Zoo, has told members of the public that the snake is “nothing to worry about” despite the animal’s large size.
Huang said the beauty rat snake, which feasts on rodents, as well as bats and birds thanks to its ability as a capable climber, is a nonvenomous species.
He advised not to startle the animal, and to allow forestry officials to handle it instead.
The beauty rat snake, which also goes by names such as the cave racer or simply the beauty snake, is believed to have been fully grown at nearing 10 feet.
The species lives 15 to 25 years.
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