8-foot snake found in washing machine!

Posted by Alfie on 18 July 2008 at 4:51pm

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Mara Ranger got the shock of her life when she found an 8-foot snake mixed in with clothes in her washing machine. The snake, identified as a reticulated python, somehow got into the water pipes of her 1800s-era farmhouse and slithered into the machine.

After Ranger took her blue jeans out of the machine, she reached back into the load and felt something move. "I jumped back and all of sudden its head starts coming out of the washing machine and it looked huge," she stated.

When Richard Burton, who operates Maine Animal Damage Control in Lewiston, arrived at Ranger's house, he could barely believe his eyes.

Once out of the machine, the angry snake wrapped itself around Burton's hand, cutting off the blood flow. Burton then wrestled the scaly reptile into a plastic bag, tied it shut.

Burton went on to say these types of snake kill there prey with their teeth but they are not poisonous. It has been reviled that the snake will be re-homed in a local a wildlife refuge.

It is a mystery how the snake ended up there. Burton guessed it was somebody's pet and that the owner ended up tossing it out into the wild when it got too big. It then made its way through the water pipes and into the washing machine, probably after the load was done, he said.

Taken by Conwest_john on flickr

I hope it doesn't try and each me?!

Tags: 8-foot snake, mara ranger, reticulated python, shock of her life, snake, washing machine

Comment by Imelda on 20 July 2008 at 11:50pm: That's it for me - I knew there was a good reason why I did not like unloading the dishwasher and washing machine!!!! Snakes in water pipes - dont worry - I will provide beloved hubby with re-inforced gloves and thongs so that he can take over these tasks. Any snakes found in irons recently???

Comment by Sian on 21 July 2008 at 5:16pm: Tell me about it Imelda! I hate do those chores - i've told my boyfriend he has to do them from know on! He was not impressed. he he.