Snake found in storm drain has new home

City crews eluded for eight days

Victoria’s once-elusive corn snake has charmed its way into a new home.

The reptile rescued from a Victoria storm drain on Aug. 25 has been adopted from Victoria Animal Control, the city announced.

Its new home will remain a mystery, as Victoria Animal Control does not release information about adoptions.

The snake, which is almost five feet long, was discovered Aug. 17. City crews were using a video camera to check a pipe at Quadra Street and Balmoral Road, but instead of a soft spot or a sink hole, they found the snake.

City crews tried to capture the snake for eight days. Sandbags were put down to block its escape, and dead mice were put out as bait. The snake became more active after shedding its skin, but stubbornly stayed in the drain.

Early reports said the snake had been caught in a trap, but it was simply picked up by municipal staff.

“The utility guys opened the manhole and the snake was kindly sitting there, waiting to be grabbed,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Penz at the time.

The corn snake is believed to be an escaped pet. The pound extended its usual 96-hour waiting period for impounded animals to give the owner time to come forward.

The snake’s new owner had to submit an application, go through an interview with Victoria Animal Control and be observed interacting with the snake. After an overnight waiting period — to prevent impulse adoptions — the snake went to its new home, the city said.

Corn snakes are slender and can be 24 to 72 inches (61 to 182 centimetres) long, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park says on its website.

They are found in the eastern United States, and are most abundant in Florida and the southeastern U.S.