Venomous Snake Found in NH Market Basket Banana Shipment
Workers at Manchester’s Market Basket got quite a shock when they found an Ornate Cat-eyed snake hiding in a box of bananas. Wildlife experts quickly came to help, taking the snake to Rainforest Reptile Shows in Beverly, Massachusetts.
“It’s a very unusual thing,” said Mack Ralbovsky, vice president of Rainforest Reptile Shows, to WENY News.
While not deadly to humans, this snake from Central and South America can deliver a nasty bite. Its venom causes swelling, painful blisters, and bleeding in people who get bitten. Most victims recover just fine with prompt medical treatment.
These expert hunters come out at night to catch their prey. They move through fallen leaves and plants, hunting for Cachabi robber frogs, Túngara frogs, and even poisonous cane toads of the Rhinella bella species.
Ralbovsky’s team is no stranger to unexpected animal visitors. They deal with about three or four cases each year of wild animals showing up in shipped goods. They plan to either use this snake in their educational programs or send it to a qualified zoo.
These snakes normally live in Western Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. They spend their time both on the ground and in trees, and prefer to hunt after dark.
The organization is letting people suggest names for the snake on social media. They’re also asking for donations to help take care of this surprise visitor and other rescued animals.
