5-foot Snake Found in Toilet in Brazos County, Cold Weather May Be a Factor

A Brazos County man was surprised to find a 5-foot snake in a toilet earlier this week.

Ben Tedrick, an employee of Bryan, TX-based newspaper The Eagle, said the snake was found while cleaning a rural house that recently had utilities turned on after not being used for several years. A cleaning member saw the snake, prompting Tedrick to improvise a makeshift catcher with a mop handle and a string.

While just seeing a snake can be alarming, Tedrick told The Eagle that he was taken aback most by the snake's strength. He said it took a lot of force to pry the snake from the toilet.
Lee A. Fitzgerald, a professor in Texas A&M's department of wildlife and fisheries sciences, said a snake making its way through the sewer system happens occasionally. He said snakes typically gravitate toward the ground, under large objects or in dry water pipes in colder temperatures to keep warm.

If you're unfortunate enough to find a snake in your pipes, Fitzgerald recommends closing the bathroom door and calling animal control.